(31 March 2007 5:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Television content distributor Granada International has concluded a deal with video on demand (VoD) company Gakken Index in Japan.

The volume agreement is for broadband VoD rights on more than 400 hours of Granada International programming. In the deal, Gakken Index will supply all the major IPTV services in Japan with Granada International content which will be branded Granada Broadband. Titles included in the deal, among many others, are Agatha Christie’s Poirot, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Sharpe, Inspector Morse, Prime Suspect. In addition, the company will also create digital versions of masters of the programming, market the service and create Japanese versions of new shows to launch on IPTV servers.

Gakken Index was established by Gakken, a leading educational content and publishing company and Index, an IT and mobile phone technology and solution servicing company. Their aim was to create a company to develop “Intellectually Exciting Content”, so Gakken Index has published popular content to enhance the educational and skill training market, as well as gaming and visual content.

Granda International MD Nadine Nohr comments, “The global VoD market is an exciting opportunity for our extensive programming portfolio. To protect all our client’s interests we have to ensure that the deal works on a number of significant levels and we are thrilled to be dealing with Gakken Index, which has its roots in two long established and well regarded companies in Japan. We are particularly pleased to have our own brand – Granada Broadband – which will allow IPTV customers to choose our programming knowing that it has a high pedigree.”

Gakken Index president Watanabe says, “We are delighted to have secured a volume deal with Granada International, one of the very best global television distributors. Their programming is famous around the world and we know our IPTV viewers will seek out Granada Broadband content.

"We will also work closely with Granada International to develop new exciting projects, utilizing our innovative technology and Granada’s quality programming to appeal to an even wider audience in Japan."