ITV

Tag: eyes

  • Balaji Telefilms eyes non-fiction for future growth

    MUMBAI: Ekta Kapoor is finally shedding the ‘Soap Queen’ image as Balaji Telefilms is now seriously exploring the non-fiction segment for future growth. The production house presently has two shows in its kitty and will be unveiling more in the coming year.

    “Ekta Kapoor has identified non-fiction as the next big thrust area for growth. Within the next two to five years, Balaji Telefilms will be making its presence felt in non-fiction programming,” says Mohan Kapoor who heads the newly created non-fiction division at Balaji.

    The division is presently doing four shows, among which one is already on air. Kosmiic Chat, the show based on astrology and tarot reading is on Zoom. The film-based show Kandiefloss is coming on Sony.

    The other two shows in the pipeline are, Karmic Connection (reality supernatural show) – and Karbon Kopy (thriller). “Karmic Connection is a supernatural show based on real-life incidents. That’s why we call it a non-fiction show. Karbon Kopy is a factious thriller. The non-fiction wing has been asked to do the 13-part serial because Balaji wanted to use its resources properly. You will see more pure non – fiction programming in 2006,” says Kapoor.

    According to Kapoor, Star One will launch Karmic Connection in January-February 2006 while Karbon Kopy will go on air in March. According to Kapoor, the channel wants the series to be produced completely before launching the promotional campaigns.

  • Isro eyes niche satellite market

    MUMBAI: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is planning to foray into a niche market segment. It will create small satellites having six-capacity Ku-band transponders, aimed specifically at the developing countries.
     
     
     

    ISRO will, thus, be able to tap customers who have need for limited capacity. “We want to find space in the niche market by creating small satellites with six Ku-band transponders. In many countries like Malaysia and Thailand, there is a demand for such satellites,” says Isro contract management and legal services director SB Iyer.

    ISRO is adding 36 Ku-band transponders between November-June 2005 with launch of three Insat series satellites – 4A, 4B and 4C for meeting the local demand particularly from direct-to-home operators.
     
     
     

    Beyond this, ISRO is planning to add a further 36 Ku-band transponders for 2006-2007. A part of this capacity augmentation will be through launch of the small satellites, says Iyer. The satellites will all be launched from India. So we will not have the situation where we have made the satellite ready and we will have to wait for the launch vehicle,” says Iyer. ISRO uses Arianespace to launch some of its satellites.

    Several foreign satellites are also keen to use ISRO’s launching facility as it is a cheaper option. “Foreign satellites are willing to come here to launch. An Italian and some Russian satellites have already expressed their intent. Our Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is very popular for low orbit and medium weight satellites. We are well placed in that,” says Iyer.

  • MTV eyes acquisitions; but puts SS deal on hold

    MUMBAI: MTV Networks is aiming at growth through acquisitions, both in the music and the kids’ space. It has, however, put its plans to acquire Chennai-based Southern Spice Music (SS Music) on hold.

    “We are not pursuing talks now. But this does not necessarily mean that we will not open them up again,” says MTV Networks Asia Pacific president Frank Brown.

    SS Music, sources say, was asking for a valuation of $10 million and MTV has not got back after that.

    Says Brown, “We plan to have at least two-three acquisitions over the next three years. This could be in the area of radio, print, production facilities and digital media. We are also interested in local language TV channels.”

    Acquisition, Brown adds, will be both for MTV and Nick. “It could be joint ventures, programming blocks, and not necessarily total buyouts.”

    MTV Networks has identified two new revenue streams, each to have a business head. Digital new media and consumer products are going to evolve as businesses with potential for fast growth, says Brown. “The boom in digital new media has happened in Japan and Korea. And it is happening in China. Along with consumer products, this will be a brand extension for MTV and Nick in India as well.”

    HUNT ON FOR CEO, COO

    The hunt is on for a chief executive officer (CEO) and a chief operating officer (COO) even as the company is planning for growth in India. “The CEO will look at business development, new launches, acquisitions and joint ventures while the COO will be handling operations,” says Brown.

    The company is eyeing launch of new genre of channels even as the direct-to-home (DTH) and the industry grows. “India is one of the fastest growing markets for us. The macro indicators are in favour of us. The youth population is rising, retail is opening up, and we see immense potential for merchandising and licensing on the back of Nick and MTV. We are strategically well positioned to ride on the boom,” says Brown.