| MUMBAI:
US-based Scripps Networks is actively planning to enter the Indian market and
is scouting for local partners after its deal with NDTV failed to consummate. The
company, which has a clutch of channels in the food, travel and lifestyle genres,
has abandoned the acquisition route. "There
are no channels like NDTV Good Times in the Indian market. We find no channels
available to acquire. We are looking at Indian partners for our entry," says
Sunil Shahani who heads Scripps' new business development and finance for India. The
Indian partner will help Scripps in distribution, marketing and advertising sales. Alternately,
Scripps will launch on their own. "DTH and digital cable TV homes are expanding
in India. We may enter on our own. We are keeping both our options open,"
says Shahani.
So
which are the television channels that will enter India first? "We are serious
about the Indian market. But we are at an exploratory stage. Our plans will firm
up after a few months," says Shahani.
Shahani,
who earlier worked with Disney and Balaji Telefilms, joined Scripps and was to
be their India representative for the joint venture company with NDTV. His agenda
now is to plan Scripps' entry into India. NDTV
had reached an agreement with Scripps to offload 69 per cent stake in NDTV Lifestyle
Ltd. The enterprise value of the deal was $55 million, out of which NDTV would
have taken home a cash of $30 million while $25 million would have been pumped
into NDTV Lifestyle. The deal was called off this May.
Also Read:
NDTV
calls off deal with Scripps | 
