star majha While there are all kinds of speculation around the distribution company that STAR India and Zee Entertainment Enterprises are forming, the two companies are yet not speaking on the nature of this alliance, or what can be expected from it. A senior industry source said, “It is understandable that they would speak once all details are in place because, if done right, this has all the makings of changing the game of the distribution scenario in India.”
Sources close to the situation informed that STAR India and Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd are joining forces to create a distribution joint venture that will house all of STAR Network channels and all channels from the Zee-Turner bouquet. The JV would be headed by Arun Kapoor, who is Director of Distribution Businesses and Heads the subscription and placement for ZEEL, WWIL and Zee Turner Ltd. It is understood that key roles would be divided between STAR and Zee personnel.
Another senior distribution industry source said, “There are talks of other companies also to be a part of this company including the likes of OneAlliance.” There was also no clarity on whether the STAR-Zee JV would be involved in the international distribution of the channels of the two companies as well, and whether it would be able to connect various kinds of distribution platforms than just cable & satellite.
At present, all STAR channels lie with STAR DEN, the JV between STAR India and Digital Entertainment Networks. There is also speculation that STAR will exit the STAR DEN JV but once again neither company’s officials replied to any queries on this, offering any details on how this relationship would change or what could be DEN’s role in the new distribution company.
A Monopolising Move
The one word that most industry observers said while commenting off-the-record on the JV was monopoly. Some say ‘monopoly’ may be exaggeration, but there was no denying that the coming together of these two media giants would corner a sizeable share of the market. If more players are added to this bouquet, it would form a strong voice that will change the current cable industry dynamics.
No comments:
Post a Comment