Sony Entertainment Network's light-entertainment channel SAB TV has made its official launch on Sky Digital today.

As exclusively revealed by BizAsia.co.uk last week, SAB TV was to launch in an existing EPG slot on Sky. We later announced that SAB TV was taking over EPG 819, replacing Sahara FILMY.

The channel has unable to achieve the same success it has in India here due to film rights issues so was dependent on a high repeat pattern of movies, which could be the reason behind its sudden demise in the UK.

Some programming properties from Sahara FILMY will be shifted to Sahara One in the coming weeks. Whilst the network has remained tight-lipped on the move, it seems the decision was made as an effort to bolster its MAX Mix bundle of channels. With the launch of SAB TV, the network will use it as an alternative GEC (general entertainment channel) to Sahara One.

SAB TV is available as part of the MAX Mix package on Sky channel 819.

Related links:
SAB TV to replace Sahara Filmy next month?
EXCLUSIVE: SAB TV launch details emerge
Ofcom awards Sony TV licence for SAB
SET MAX to launch Sahara channels in UK