RBNL forays into TV production in the US; acquires 81% of Georgeville Television
RBNL’s step-down subsidiary acquires the stake in Georgeville, a company launched by film & TV producer Marc Rosen & Leon Clarance, CEO of Motion Picture Capital.
(26 november 2012)

Hinduja group plans HITS platform; seeks licence from I&B Ministry
Hinduja group to launch Headend-In-The-Sky under investment arm Grant Investrade; Tony D'Silva to head the project which is housed outside IMCL.
(28 november 2012)

IMCL in talks with PE firms to raise $75 mn
Hinduja-owned IndusInd Media and Communications mandates Ernst & Young to find an investor; needs Rs 6 billion to fund second phase of digitisation.
(24 november 2012)

Kerala cable operators resume Asianet channels
The deadlock between Cable Operators Association Kerala & Media Pro over the Asianet bouquet has been resolved with the operators agreeing to clear the outstanding amount.
(29 november 2012)

Media Pro deactivates Asianet channels in Kerala
Fight between Kerala cable operators and Media Pro results in deactivation of Zee, Star, NDTVand Turner channels; Media Pro alleges non payment of subscription fees.
(23 november 2012)

Dish TV gets shareholder nod to raise $200 mn
The Subbhash Chandra-promoted company to raise the money through equity or convertible bond issue; may offer discount of up to 5% to investors if it opts for a QIP issue.
(26 november 2012)

Sony Six to be available on all DTH platforms
The sports entertainment channel inks deals with Tata Sky and Airtel digital TV; also closes deals with Reliance Big TV and Sun Direct, which are to be effective 1 December.
(28 november 2012)

PVR to buy 69.29% Cinemax promoter stake for Rs 3.95 bn; plex biz in consolidation phase
PVR pays high premium to become largest multiplex operator and fortify position in western India including Mumbai; Cinemax delisting likely as PVR to make open offer to public shareholders of Cinemax at Rs 203.65/share.
(29 november 2012)

Balaji to scale up film biz with Rs 1.5 bn investment
Balaji to invest in making six movies after a string of box office successes; this signals the Balaji Telefilms subsidiary’s willingness to now take bigger risks.
(27 november 2012)

Saurabh Yagnik leaves Star to head Sony Pix
Yagnik moves from Star India where he was head of English channels portfolio; Rasika Tyagi replaces Yagnik at Star.
(28 november 2012)

ESPN Star Sports eyes Rs 1.6 bn ad rev from Indo-Pak series
ESS plays hard ball with advertisers for the blockbuster series; media agencies find asking rate of Rs 800,000 per 10 sec spot for ODIs and Rs 1 million for T20 too high.
(24 november 2012)

Endemol to turn Bigg Boss into a movie
The Bigg Boss movie to be made in Hindi, Tamil & Telugu languages; Endemol expects to recreate the unpredictability of this entertainment format on the silver screen as well.
(27 november 2012)

Shashi Sinha is BARC TechComm chairman
The setting up of the technical committee is the first step towards making BARC functional; India TV strategist Paritosh Joshi and HUL head of CMI South Smita Bhosale also in committee.
(23 november 2012)

NDTV firm on legal pursuit against TAM
New York Supreme Court is expected to give out its verdict on whether complaint filed by NDTV holds jurisdiction in the US by mid Jan; NDTV to pursue case in India if need be.
(24 november 2012)

India ad spend to grow 9% in 2013: Warc
Advertising spends in India are expected to grow 9 per cent in 2013, according to the International Ad Spends 2012 report released by advertising data research service Warc.
(29 november 2012)

DDB Mudra wins Marico's Livon account
DDB Mudra has been awarded Marico Livon's creative mandate after a multi-agency pitch. The size of the account is pegged at Rs 400 million.
(28 november 2012)

StrawberryFrog readies to spearhead cultural advertising in India
India is a nation of movements. There’s anti-corruption movement, farmers’ movements, and a host of other social movements. There’s now also a cultural movement in advertising.
(26 november 2012)

Life of Pi works its magic; SOS battles it out
The Ang Lee directed film collects Rs 136.5 mn in its opening weekend; Jab Tak Hai Jaan collects Rs 984.1 mn & Son Of Sardar Rs 812 mn in the first 10 days. BOX OFFICE!
(26 november 2012)

'Digitisation will throw open acquisition opportunities'
Interview with IndusInd Media and Communications chief executive officer Nagesh Chhabria