Nine Gold, rivals react cautiously to opening of bids for DD Metro

(Posted on 30 May, 7:30 pm)

The industry has reacted cautiously to Prasar Bharati's (Broadcasting Corporation of India) move throwing open bidding for all time slots on its Doordarshan Metro channel.

A senior official from HFCL Nine Broadcasting, which currently holds the rights for the 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm slot, said the company's managers were looking at the implications of the development, when asked for their reaction to the turn of events. "We are studying the tender document and will consider it accordingly," the official said.

HFCL Nine's 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm slot expires in September, while the 10:00 to 11:00 pm one completes its run in October.

"We would have to study the financial implications of the whole thing before we can make any comment," RK Singh, chief executive (corporate affairs), Zee Telefilms, said, when asked if the DD Metro offer was of interest to Zee.

But a company source said in private that the offer was a "no brainer" if it did not extend beyond three years or so and the broadcaster would not really be interested in pitching for the slots unless more attractive terms were offered.

Star, however, did not completely rule out making a pitch. "We are looking at it (the bid offer)," an official spokesperson said.

Sony Entertainment Television CEO Kunal Dasgupta, while indicating he was adopting a wait and watch stand on the issue, said the Prasar Bharati offer was interesting."

 

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