Sony Pictures will next month launch 8 free ad-supported streaming channels in 9 European countries. They will be available through LG, Samsung and TiVo devices.

Launching the 8 streaming channels, known as Sony One, on competing TV platforms is certainly an interesting development. Sony Pictures stated that it is part of a strategy to make it content "available to everyone, wherever they are".

- "Sony Pictures recognizes the potential of the free ad-supported television space to engage new viewers globally with our extensive feature film and TV series catalog spanning 100 years. Our entry into the FAST space in Europe reflects our dedication to making premium content accessible to audiences on new and important distribution channels," said Pete Wood, SVP, Digital Sales, Distribution, SPE.

The 8 free ad-supported streaming channels will be available in native language in the UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Norway and Finland.


Sony One channels
Sony Pictures confirmed that the channels will be available through the LG Channels, Samsung TV Plus and TiVo+ services. LG Channels is available on LG's webOS Smart TVs while Samsung TV Plus is available on Samsung's Tizen Smart TVs.

The 8 channels launching in April are:



Sony One Comedy TV: Laugh-out-loud comedy series including Seinfeld, The Nanny and The Goldbergs offering a laid-back, light-hearted viewing experience to share with family and friends.
Sony One Thriller TV: Action-packed, high-thrill series like Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul and Justified that keep diverse audiences on the edge of their seats, with a focus on crime procedurals and exhilarating adventures.
Sony One Faves: Timeless classics and fan favorites including Bewitched, Community and Dawson’s Creek that evoke nostalgia across generations.
Sony One Comedy HITS: Classic, quotable comedies with iconic scenes and characters such as Step Brothers, Jerry Maguire and Easy A, that embody pop-culture across the decades; perfect for laughs around the clock.
Sony One Action HITS: Dedicated to action and adventure movies from box office hits to critically acclaimed films like District 9 and the Men in Black and Zombieland franchises, that provide a non-stop thrill ride.
Sony One Shark Tank: One of the most successful reality shows in the world, aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to moguls, known as the “Sharks,” in hopes of landing investment funds in this U.S. adaptation of the British and Japanese reality hit Dragons' Den.
Sony One Dragons’ Den: The juggernaut reality format behind Shark Tank, aspiring entrepreneurs pitch their business ideas to multimillionaire investors, in the hope of landing investment funds. 
Sony One Blacklist: Dedicated channel featuring the crime thriller series following a most-wanted fugitive who works with a rookie FBI profiler to take down criminals and terrorists.

Sony Pictures already offers free ad-supported channels such as Sony KAL Hindi in the US and Canada, Spanish-language channels for the US Hispanic audience, and local channels in Mexico and Brazil.