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MUMBAI: Anil Ambani is planning to make an entry into the
broadcasting business, the final piece in the media chain
where he had so far stayed out.
On his radar is the launch of an entertainment business channel
through Adlabs Films, the listed company where he acquired
a majority stake in mid-2005.
"We are considering it and have given the proposal for
the launch of an entertainment business channel. But the board
has to approve of it," Adlabs chairman and managing director
Manmohan Shetty tells Indiantelevision.com.
The idea is to capitalise on the contacts that Shetty has
with the film industry and synergise content with Adlabs'
film production business. The channel would also provide information
on the gross earnings from box office collections and other
financial data.
Shetty, however, did not wish to talk on the content front,
saying "it was too early to talk about anything"
till the go-ahead signal was given for launching the channel.
Adlabs already has a presence in film processing, production
and distribution business. The company is also stepping into
TV content production and has bought out majority stake in
Siddharth and Anita Basu's production house Synergy Communications
Pvt Ltd. Ambani has ventured into the FM radio sector with
aggressive bids for stations.
"The acquisition process is not completed yet. We would
be pumping money into the content business after that. We
will be making content for other TV channels through this
company," says Shetty. Synergy has produced popular shows
like Kaun Banega Crorepati or KBC (an Indian version of the
popular western game show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire) for
Star and Jhalak Dikhla Jaa (a local adaption of Dancing With
The Stars) for Sony.
Adlabs has ambitious plans for animation. In the pipeline
is a 3D feature film, Superstar, with Southern actor Rajnikanth's
Ochre Studios which is slated for release in April 2008. The
second animation project is a feature based on the characters
Gini & Jony, who represent one of the top brands in children
apparel in India.
"The first film will cost Rs 310 million and we will
have a worldwide release. We haven't finalised the budget
for the second film as we are not ready with the script yet,"
says Shetty.
Rounding up the media cycle will be the foray into the broadcasting
space. Ambani has already announced his plans for IPTV and
a direct-to-home (DTH) service.
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