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MUMBAI:
After acquiring 26 per cent stake in NDTV Networks, NBC Universal
(NBCU) is all set to launch two channels in India - Sci-Fi
and Universal channel.
While
Sci-Fi specialises in science fiction, fantasy, horror, and
paranormal programming, Universal channel has movies and TV
series in the thriller, drama, horror, crime and investigation
genres.
When
contacted by Indiantelevision.com, Denise Basset of
NBCU had this to offer from her London office: “As we
move to expand our global networks channels across Asia, we
would look to partner with NDTV to bring our channels such
as Sci-Fi and the Universal channel to India.”
Roma Khanna, NBCU International president, global networks
and digital initiatives, will be managing the day to day relationship
with NDTV once the deal is completed, adds Basset.
It
is worth noting that it was subsequent to Khanna's arrival
from Canada’s Chum TV last year that NBCU closed two
major deals - the $353 million acquisition of Sparrowhawk
Holdings and its international portfolio of pay TV channels,
including 18 versions of Hallmark Channels outside the US;
and a $925 million buyout of US-based Oxygen Media, the cable-television
network co-founded by Oprah Winfrey that is targeted at young
women.
 Khanna's
experience with Chum would likely mean she would also be actively
involved in developing and distributing digital media content
across all of the television brands and distributing it to
Indian consumers.
Globally
the Universal channel is present in Poland, Romania and in
Latin America. Its shows include Brothers and Sisters,
A Touch Of Frost, Psych.
Sci-Fi
channel's most prominent series include Battlestar Galactica,
Farscape, and Stargate SG-1 and its spin-off
Stargate Atlantis.
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