(4 June 2009 10:20 pm)

MUMBAI: Stripping down operational costs, INX Media is creating a single channel for the UK market with a mix of content from 9X and 9XM.

The Hindi general entertainment shows from 9X will be put on Bollywood music channel 9XM to create a hybrid channel. This will be effective 15 June.

“In the current scenario, it is not viable to run two separate channels in UK. When you are taking the signals out to another continent, the cost also shoots up. You need more transponders, more space on satellite etc, which we are trying to streamline,” INX Media group director – distribution Arun Mohan tells Indiantelevision.com.

INX Media was running its two channels, 9X and 9XM, separately.

The hybrid channel will have full length Bollywood music apart from 9X’s original programmes like Black, Sai Bhakton Ki Sachchi Kahaniyan, Zamaana Badal Gaya, Bikhray Pal, Biwi O Biwi and Kuchh Kook Hota Hai, and repeats of its shows like Dahhej, Mere Apne and Jiya Jale.

"We expect the hybrid channel to attract more audiences," says Mohan.

The new channel will be available on 9XM’s band i.e. EPG 829 on Sky Digital and EPG 513 of Freesat.

Back in India, 9X is undergoing corrective measures. Recently it has launched one in-house fiction show and is planning to launch a few more.

Cash strapped, INX Media has been struggling to raise capital and stay afloat.