MxMIndia

Tag: Viacom Inc

  • With this acquisition, Viacom Inc. will hold 50 per cent of Prism TV and the remaining 50 per cent interest will continue to be owned by the Network18 Group

    Viacom acquires stake in Indian regional networks

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom Inc. (Nasdaq: VIAB, VIA), announced that it has acquired a 50 per cent interest in Prism TV Private Limited for 9.4 bn Rupees (approximately $153M USD). Prism TV owns and operates regional entertainment channels in India, including ETV Marathi, ETV Kannada, ETV Bangla, ETV Oriya and ETV Gujarati, all of which were recently rebranded under the ‘COLORS’ umbrella.

     

    The transaction was completed between Nickelodeon Asia Holdings Pte Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Viacom Inc., and Shinano Retail Private Limited, a company effectively 100 per cent owned by Reliance Industrial Investments and Holdings Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited. The parties received clearance from India’s Foreign Investment Promotion Board earlier this month.

     

    With this acquisition, Viacom Inc. will hold 50 per cent of Prism TV and the remaining 50 per cent interest will continue to be owned by the Network18 Group, Viacom’s partner in the Viacom18 joint venture.

     

    Philippe Dauman, President and CEO of Viacom, said: “We’re thrilled to be broadening our presence in one of the largest and fastest growing TV markets in the world, and deepening our already strong partnership with Network18.  This acquisition is an important step in building on our leadership position in India, a key market in Viacom’s international growth strategy.”

     

    A P Parigi, Group CEO Network18, said: “This acquisition by Viacom International Media Networks further strengthens the partnership with Network18 both in terms of depth and breadth. I am confident India will emerge as a global entertainment powerhouse in the year ahead.”

     

    Bob Bakish, President and CEO of Viacom International Media Networks, said: “Regional TV networks – and regional ad markets – are the next wave of growth in India.  Having a strong national and broad regional presence gives us a powerful platform to launch additional brands, and introduce successful franchises and formats across India.”

     

  • The 24-hour channel will air Indie music along with films, TV shows, comedy acts and live performance

    Pepsi & MTV India to launch Pepsi MTV Indies

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom18 Media Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between Viacom Inc and Network18, has revealed the identity of its soon-to-be-launched Indie music and sub-culture channel – Pepsi MTV Indies. PepsiCo India is title sponsor of the channel.

     

    Led by Music, Pepsi MTV Indies will also reflect other subcultures like independent films, art, comedy and more, thereby taking these alternative art forms into the homes of millions. The channel will be launched this month (in February), in High Definition and Dolby 5.1 surround sound and will be available across leading DTH and digital cable platforms. Indies will have a strong presence on the internet and can be accessed via the mobile and with apps. On-ground activities are an integral part of the new offering.

     

    Sudhanshu Vats

    Explaining the rationale behind launching the channel, Group CEO of Viacom18, Sudhanshu Vats said, “At Viacom18, we believe in sharper segmentation whether it pertains to the genre, the audience or by markets. Indies is a move that further strengthens our bouquet of varied offerings. India is moving from a collective to an individualistic content consumption habit. The youth and music genre offers great opportunity for growth and we’re sure that this move will help us build an ecosystem for creating a lot of live content as well.”

     

    Talking about the first of its kind brand association in India, Deepika Warrier, Vice President- Po1 Marketing PepsiCo India said “Music is a key youth passion point and Pepsi’s biggest platform globally. We are excited about partnering with MTV to launch this new platform, as we continue to set and fuel trends, creating a gateway to new experiences for our consumers”

     

    Along with announcing the launch, Pepsi also unveiled its new product packaging with the global logo and visual identity. “The launch of the channel coincides with the debut of Pepsi’s global logo and visual identity system in India. Celebrating revolution, engagement and the impatience to be more, Pepsi continues to change the way the young see the world and the way the world sees them,” Ms Warrier added.

     

    Aditya Swamy

    Announcing the launch of the channel, Aditya Swamy, Business Head, MTV India said, “MTV is the cultural home of the millennials, musicians and artists across genres. Our partnership with Pepsi is the start of a brand new chapter in the entertainment landscape of India.”

     

  • The channel will be distributed through Asian Television Network International Limited (ATN) (TSX-SAT), Canada’s largest South Asian Broadcaster on Rogers Cable in Ontario and on recently launched Bell Fibe TV in Toronto & Montreal

    ATN launches Aapka Colors in Canada

    By A Correspondent

     

    Viacom 18 Media Pvt. Ltd, an equal joint venture between Viacom Inc (NASDAQ: VIA, VIAB) and Network18, one of India’s leading entertainment conglomerates, on Wednesday announced the launch of its flagship channel, Aapka Colors in Canada.

     

    The channel will be distributed through Asian Television Network International Limited (ATN) (TSX-SAT), Canada’s largest South Asian Broadcaster on Rogers Cable in Ontario and on recently launched Bell Fibe TV in Toronto & Montreal.

     

    Starting immediately, ATN subscribers can tune in to Aapka Colors (Channel 690 on Rogers and Channel 790 on Bell Vibe TV), which is among the top two Hindi general entertainment channels in India. Viewers can look forward to captivating drama series, blockbuster Bollywood films, star-studded variety programs and nail-biting reality shows on one of the most-watched channels from India.

     

    Moreover, subscribers will now be able to enjoy popular shows such as Balika Vadhu, Sasural

    Simar Ka, Phulwa, Uttaran and Fear Factor – Khatron Ke Khiladi at the same time as the viewers in India.

     

    Dr Shan Chandrasekar, president and CEO, ATN said: “We are delighted to have Viacom18 Media Pvt. Ltd as a programming partner and to share AAPKA COLORS, with its compelling content, across

    Canada.”

     

    Gaurav Gandhi, Head-Distribution & International Business-Viacom18 & COO Sun18, said: “We are delighted with the launch of Aapka Colors in Canada on the 2 leading platforms – Rogers and Bell Fibe, and fulfilling the demands of the South Asian diaspora with our very distinct and popular content offering.”

     

    With this launch in Canada, Colors is now available in close to 50 countries globally.