B4U acquires overseas movie telecast rights from Sahara for Rs 15 million

B4U acquires overseas movie telecast rights from Sahara for Rs 15 million

Sahara One

MUMBAI: B4U Group has acquired overseas TV telecast rights to around 35 movies from Sahara One Media and Entertainment Ltd. for Rs 15 million.

The movies include Page 3, Sarkar and Hanuman. B4U will also have telecast rights to some of Boney Kapoor's films. Last year, Sahara had acquired satellite and pay TV broadcast rights worldwide and in perpetuity to the entire library of Kapoor's films.

B4U Movies can show these films in all other markets except India. The channel has a presence in more than 100 countries including the US, UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Mauritius and Canada.

"We have taken rights to around 35 films from Sahara for our international channels. These include strong lineups like Sarkar, Hanuman and Page 3, but include some library products as well. The rights are non exclusive," said a source in B4U.

B4U's Indian operations, however, continue to be starved of funds. The company has stopped movie acquisitions in India for almost two years. Though B4U gave carriage fee to cable TV operators for beefing up distribution of its two channels (B4U Movies and B4U Music) across the country, very little investment has been made on content.