BRIEFS

MURDOCH: OBSCENITY SAGA CONTINUES

Last month, a Delhi chief metropolitan magistrate had ordered that all properties owned by Rupert Murdoch in India should be attached by the Indian authorities as he had failed to appear in court for hearings despite repeated efforts to make him do so. Murdoch has been embroiled in a case filed against him by an Indian resident for telecast of obscene movies on Star Movies.

The move to attach properties has been opposed by Murdoch's Indian firm News Television India. The court, in a hearing last week, said that it will decide whether attachment of Murdoch's properties in India can be done. It will take this decision after hearing arguments on 19 December from lawyers fighting the case for Murdoch's and the complainant.

ISP IN TALKS WITH CABLE OPS

India's first private Internet Services Provider (ISP), Satyam Infoway is in conversation with cable TV operators to expand its service nationally. The company wants to build its subscriber base to 100,000 within the next year. The management believes that cable operators will help it achieve that target.

GERMAN PRODUCTION HOUSE LOOKS FOR INDIAN BUYERS

German production house ZDF Enterprises is keen to develop relations with Indian companies wanting to buy its documentaries and drama series. The company is exhibiting its range of titles at MIP Asia in Singapore between 10 and 12 December.

WORLDSPACE RADIO PROJECT GETS GO-AHEAD

The Foreign Investment Promotion Board has cleared a proposal by the Singapore-based WorldSpace Asia to bring in foreign investment of Rs 107 crore into India. Washington-headquartered, WorldSpace, which is slated to introduce digital satellite radio by next year in several countries using three satellites, has also been permitted by the board to start its service in India when it is ready. However, it will have to abide by up linking rules prevalent in the country when it launches its Indian service of 30 channels. The company has hired several senior managers from the space, consumer electronics and entertainment industries for its India operations.