Entertainment news website Variety reported on Friday that Sony YAY! has acquired the license for the Shin chan anime in India. According to the news outlet, the company sees potential for the franchise in merchandising and experiential offerings for both children and adults.
Marketing, communications, and on-air promotions head at Sony YAY!, Sujoy Roy Bardhan, told Variety, “The hunger for anime titles in India is real. It’s not waiting to grow, it is already there.” The company is looking into partnerships for Shin chan apparel in India.
Sony Pictures Networks India will appoint Gaurav Banerjee as its managing director and CEO effective August 26 onward. Former managing director and CEO NP Singh stepped down from his role on May 24. Sony terminated its plans for a US$10 billion merger with Zee Entertainment in late January.
Sony YAY! began airing the Naruto Shippūden anime on March 18. The channel aired the Indian television premiere of Crayon Shin-chan: Ramen Rebellion (Eiga Crayon Shin-chan Bakumori! Kung-Fu Boys ~Ramen Tairan~), the 26th Shin chan film, on June 22.
Sony YAY! launched the Anime Booth 24-hour anime channel on Airtel Digital TV in February.