MUMBAI: Sony Pictures Television (SPT) Networks is expanding its UK presence by wholly acquiring the channels business of Dolphin Broadcasting and taking a majority stake in ad sales house, Dolphin TV.

The five Dolphin television channels are Movies4Men, Movies4Men+1, Movies4Men2, Movies4Men2+1 and Men&Movies. The channels target an older, male demographic, offering movies and television content including war, western and action films. They are available on Sky and Freesat, as well as Freeview in Manchester.

The acquisition of Dolphin?s channels business will add five new channels to SPT?s UK network portfolio, building on SPT?s launch of the Sony Entertainment Television channel in April this year.

The stake in Dolphin TV Ltd is an important step in SPT?s long term goal to build an advertising sales business across Europe, joining other SPT advertising joint ventures in territories including Romania and Croatia.

SPT senior VP, networks, Europe, Middle East and Africa Eddie Nelson said, "Increasing our foothold in the UK is an important part of our EMEA growth plan. As a well established specialist in the UK?s multichannel market, Dolphin is an ideal fit for SPT as we develop our channel portfolio and focus on expanding Dolphin?s market share of advertising sales. We are extremely excited about working with Dolphin?s existing clients and developing the teleshopping business."

Dolphin?s channels business will now merge with SPT?s existing UK networks business, led by SVP broadcast and channel development, Kate Marsh, who reports into Nelson.

Dolphin TV MD David Goffin said: "Sony Pictures Television is a great strategic fit for our own channels and our advertising sales business. Naturally we are delighted to become part of SPT. The UK sales market is rapidly evolving and this allows us to invest in our core areas of spot and teleshopping sales."

Dolphin TV, the ad business, will continue to operate under the same name and management team, and from the same office in London. The business is led by Goffin, who now reports into Nelson. Current Dolphin TV spot advertising clients include CSC Media Group?s True Movies and the Welsh broadcaster, S4C; with teleshopping clients Channel 4, ITV, BskyB, Chello and Ulster TV.