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"Yes, we are in discussion (with Disney)," Star India CEO Peter
Mukerjea told journalists on the sidelines of the India Economic
Summit, jointly organised by the World Economic Forum and the Confederation
of Indian Industry (CII), here yesterday.
Mukerjea, did not spell out the details of the discussions that
News Corp/Star has had with Disney and also did not give any timeframe
for the conclusion of the negotiations.
However, television industry sources indicated that apart from
Star, others who are in the fray to get associated with the Disney
channels in India include ESPN Star Sports (ESS) and Sony Entertainment
TV. It is pertinent to mention here that ESS is an equal joint venture
between Star and ESPN, a Disney group company, and industry sources
said it stands a good chance to get the distribution rights for
the Disney channels.
Disney's Singapore office could not be contacted for comments today
as an e-mail sent on the Star issue generated an automated reply
saying the person concerned was out of office on business till 1
December. The Walt Disney Company, the first US studio to adopt
a local approach to production by tailoring content to specific
audiences, plans to bring in four to five channels from its stable
to India.
Disney, which had an agreement with K K Modi group company, Modi
Entertainment Network, to undertake business activities in India,
especially those related to television and merchandising, got out
of the contract earlier this year, reportedly after paying approximately
$ 14 million to the Modis --- a figure that none of the parties
would confirm or deny.
That Disney is bullish on India can be gauged from that fact that
in September it announced Walt Disney Television International (Asia
Pacific) would expand its TV distribution into India spanning Disney
branded and non-branded programming across all TV delivery platforms.
The company also plans to open a dedicated local sales office in
India by end of the year.
"We have already seen major growth in the Asian television marketplace
and the reorganisation of our business in India gives us incredible
opportunities to build upon our recent successes in the region,"
Walt Disney Television International (Asia Pacific) MD Doug Miller
had then said in a statement, adding, "India, as one of the largest
markets in Asia, and the fastest growing television market, is central
to all of our plans. and believe that a local presence is essential."
In India, Walt Disney Television International provides feature
films, live action series and reality shows to Star Movies, AXN
and HBO and also contributes 29 hours per week of children's programmes
to Doordarshan, Eenadu, SET India, Star Plus and Star World.
Walt Disney Television International (WDTV-I) is responsible for
all of The Walt Disney Company's free and pay television activities
outside the US. These activities include branded and non-branded
programme distribution through Buena Vista International Television
(BVITV), production and broadcasting, and the development and management
of Disney Channels and other media investments.
WDTV-I is renowned for its locally produced entertainment through
Disney channels and terrestrial branded programmes. Each Disney
channel provides unique quality programming specifically designed
for its local audience and entirely dedicated to kids and their
families.
See earlier stories-
Walt Disney TV to open dedicated
local sales office by end 2003
Disney, Modis announce
parting of ways
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