Indian Stock Market

Endhiran Audio launch on July 31 2010.

Rajni fans enjoy

Think Music has paid Rs 7 crore for Audio rights of Endhiran.This is among the highest amount for audio rights in Indian Film history.

There was a strong bidding war between Sony Music and Think Music. Think Music won the deal by paying a huge sum.

If audio rights of Endhiran fetches Rs 7 crores then think about the Television rights and other rights. Sun TV which is producing this India’s highest budget movie is sure to keep the Television rights with themselves.

Reliance Digicom is the new baby from ADAG.

It comes from acquisition of Digicable. By this Reliance Digicom will be India’s largest cable network provider.

Merger:

The merged entity, Reliance DigiCom, is expected to cater to the 4-screen strategy of RCom — that is to own mobile, cinema, TV and computer screens.

About Reliance Digicom:

Reliance DigiCom will be an integration of RCom’s direct-to-home (DTH), internet protocol TV (IPTV) and retail broadband operations along with Digicable.

Reliance Communication entered into an all-stock deal with Digicable, though financial details were not divulged. Banking sources put the value of the merged entity at around $1 billion.

Reliance DigiCom will start with a combined subscriber base of 11 million homes, and is targeting a nationwide rollout of digital TV and broadband.

ANIL AMBANI’s Speech:

Anil Ambani said in a statement, “RCom led the telecom revolution in India by growing its subscriber base to over 100 million customers in a short span of just five years. The digital TV and broadband space is poised for similar explosive growth in the years ahead.”

He added that with this game-changing move, “we hope to lead the next revolution in digital home entertainment in India, by offering a world class TV experience and ultra high speed broadband capability to a billion people.”

BAG Films may sell stake for fund raising.

Broadcasting and television content company BAG Films & Media is looking to sell 25-30% to raise funds for its planned Hindi sports channel, a person involved in the deal told ET. The company is in talks with private equity investors Goldman Sachs, 3i and Blackstone, he added.

BAG Films runs three news channels, News 24, E24, Dhamaal 24, and produces fiction content for other channels. On Wednesday, the company had a market capitalisation of Rs 268 crore.

“There is a plan to raise Rs 150-170 crore,” said Abhinav Shukla, vice-president, corporate strategy. “It will be done through sale of equity, but I cannot confirm who will buy, we are talking to several investors.” The company hopes to raise the money within six to eight months.

The company is hoping for an enterprise valuation, equity plus debt minus cash or cash equivalent, of around Rs 650 crore, the person said. It expects to double broadcast revenue in the financial year March 2011, Mr Shukla said.

The company plans to launch the Hindi sports channel in time for the cricket World Cup, due in Feb 2011. BAG is also in talks with companies that own reality show formats, and may acquire some if it gets a commitment from a channel to retain the format, Mr Shukla added.

Reliance Broadcast Network starting TV channels with CBS JV

RReliance Broadcast Network Ltd will form an equal joint venture with US media conglomerate CBS Corp to own and operate TV channels.

Reliance Broadcast Networks, previously known as Reliance Media World Ltd, will form a 50:50 joint venture with CBS Studios International, a wholly owned subsidiary of CBS Corp, “for the purpose of owing and/or operating a portfolio of television channels,” the company informed the stock exchanges.

With Reliance Broadcast Networks’s multi-media presence and integrated sales offerings, combined with the content muscle of CBS Corp, BIG CBS stands to bite into a sizable slice of India’s burgeoning television industry.

“As currently proposed, the joint venture would include certain programming rights across the countries of India, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Pakistan for now,” it said in a June 19 letter to the Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange of India.

Reliance Broadcast Networks and CBS will have equal 50 per cent equity interest in the joint venture.

The joint venture will initially broadcast English language general entertainment channels and will explore Hindi and regional language general entertainment channels in the next phase.

“Reliance Broadcast Networks and CBS have today (June 19) signed a preliminary, non-binding term sheet, which is subject to, among other things, customary diligence, the negotiation and execution of definitive documentation, etc., which are presently underway and which the parties intend to endeavour in good faith to complete within a period of one month,” Reliance Broadcast Networks said.

Reliance Broadcast Networks operates India’s largest radio network (92.7 BIG FM) and is into outdoor, promotions and events. CBS Corp’s television network is America’s No. 1 broadcast network. CBS has developed some of America’s biggest hit shows like CSI, NSIC, America’s Next Top Model and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

“The joint venture company would be a limited liability company incorporated in India,” Reliance Broadcast Networks said. “As currently proposed, CBS and Reliance Broadcast Networks, or subsidiaries of such companies, would act as shareholders and shall have an equal 50 per cent equity interest in the joint venture company.”

The promoters of Bloomberg UTV have sold 18 per cent of their stake in the news channel to Reliance Capital Ltd in an undisclosed deal. Their stake will now be 67 per cent. Ambit Capital was banker for the deal.

In October 2009, UTVi was rebranded as Bloomberg UTV after Bloomberg picked up a 15 per cent stake. UTVi was broadcast by UTV News Ltd, a company wholly owned by Ronnie Screwvala, also chairman and promoter of UTV Software Communications Ltd. It signed a content and co-branding agreement with Bloomberg after the collaboration. A UTV spokesperson declined to divulge the size of the deal. In a media release, Reliance Capital (R-Cap) said, “The investment will form part of the company’s exposure to the fast-growing and high-potential media sector.” As on March 31, R-Cap had 14.02 per cent stake in TV Today Network Ltd, the broadcasters of Headlines Today and Aaj Tak. It also has 10 per cent stake in the Network18 group which operates CNBC TV18, CNN-IBN, IBN 7, Colors and CNBC Awaaz channels. Bloomberg’s application for buying 15 per cent stake in UTVi is still awaiting approval at the Foreign Investment Promotion Board.

About Reliance Capital:

Reliance Capital has interests in asset management and mutual funds, life and general insurance, consumer finance and industrial finance, stock broking, depository services, private equity and proprietary investments, exchanges, asset reconstruction, distribution of financial products and other activities in financial services.

Amar Chitra Katha gets Elephant capital entry

Elephant Capital, a private equity venture floated by Dabur group promoter Gaurav Burman, today said it has acquired stake in children’s book publisher Amar Chitra Katha (ACK) for around Rs 22 crore.

“Elephant Capital has acquired a significant stake in Amar Chitra Katha Pvt for 3.2 million pounds,” Elephant Capital said in a statement.

While the company did not disclose the percentage of stake it acquired, sources said it is close to 30 per cent, valuing ACK at nearly Rs 75 crore.

The investment will be made through Elephant Capital’s Mauritian subsidiary, Tusk Investments Fund 1, it added.

“We believe there is a huge amount of value in ACK and look forward to working with the team to fully realise the potential the business holds. I believe this will be a very successful investment for Elephant Capital,” Elephant Capital LLP Managing Partner Gaurav Burman said.

The company said Elephant Capital’s co-investment vehicle will also invest 500,000 pounds, and Burman will be making an additional personal co-investment of 300,000 pounds.

Besides, it said it will appoint two directors to the board of ACK, Gaurav Burman and Amit Jain, representing one third of the board seats.

ACK is one of the leading children’s media companies in India, with a catalogue of over 500 print and 100 digital products, and 25 proprietary characters with pan-Indian recognition. Some of the popular books include ‘Amar Chitra Katha’ and ‘Tinkle’.

Reliance BIG TV DTH launches Special in-shop campaign High Definition cum Advanced Digital Video Recording Box

Reliance BIG TV (RBTV) the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) service provider in the country has launched a special in-shop campaign for India’s first High-Definition cum Advanced Digital Video Recording Box.

This special campaign will target retail outlets across 100 cities and will be supported by Reliance BIG TV’s distribution infrastructure which is the largest in India. Reliance BIG TV’s Home Entertainment Service distribution network covers 6,500 towns with a network reach of 1,00,000 retail points that includes electronic showrooms, TV showrooms and multi- brand outlets.

This 360 degree launch campaign will work closely with the channel partners thereby ensuring that there is a clear focus on the retail environment and delivering smart merchandising and providing product demonstration solutions.

Reliance BIG TV has worked towards customizing various merchandising solutions to judiciously utilize its retail spaces. Demonstration units, array of merchandising aids & trained in- shop promoters have been deployed to communicate the features & benefits of India’s first High- Definition Advanced Digital Video Recording Box.

Emphasizing on the potential of the retail medium Umesh Rao, Senior Vice President, Reliance BIG TV said, and “In the DTH space, the last mile consumer engagement assumes critical importance as the category is still in a development stage. Cogent product demonstrations & channel assistance helps consumers take well informed purchase decisions.”

Sathyam cinemas is ready to open a new Multiplex in Express Avenue Mall in chennai. The mall is located close to its already present Multiplex in Royapettah. This new Multiplex is almost less than 200 metres from old satyam cinemas.

Its going to be a tough fight in Mount Road area among Multiplexes as the area is already crowded with lot of Multiplexes. Devi had just opened its renovated Multiplex months back.

About new Sathyam cinemas Multiplex in Express Mall:

This is going to be a 8 screen Multiplex with 1600 seats which will be among the biggest in chennai. There is no news about the screen facilities . But going by the previous experience this should be the best in India.

About Sathyam Cinemas:

Sathyam Cinemas is a Chennai based exhibition and entertainment company. Currently Sathyam Cinemas operates one multiplex under its Sathyam Cinemas brand in Chennai. The location is a landmark in the city and is the busiest multiplex in India and one of the busiest in Asia. It has annual admissions of more than 3 million customers in its 6 screens. In addition to film exhibition Sathyam Cinemas operates a high level gaming facility and concept restaurants. The restaurants that are currently opened are “ecstasy” a high end patisserie and “ID” a contemporary South Indian restaurant, also the “Blur Café” which is a casual dining facility located within Blur which is the large format multi concept gaming experience. Sathyam Cinemas also has a film distribution business and has recently delved into film production.

Sathyam Cinemas Online Booking:

Online Booking for both multiplexes be done in their website thecinema.in

IM Global has been acquired by Reliance Big Entertainment.

Reliance Big Entertainment Limited Friday acquired an undisclosed majority shareholding in the Los Angeles and London-based international film sales company IM Global, which was founded by Stuart Ford in 2007.

In February 2010, the two companies formed a sales alliance after which IM Global began distributing Reliance’s Hindi film output internationally.

The successful sales alliance has now progressed to Reliance acquiring a majority stake in the company, a press release said.

“After a phenomenal first three years, the company is ready to move onto the next stage of its strategic growth. I simply could not wish for a more dynamic partner to help nurture that progression,” said Ford, the chief executive officer of IM Global.

“We’re also looking forward to support Reliance extend its presence in Hollywood and the worldwide film community,” he added.

This extended relationship between the two companies will ensure an increased capability for independent film financing by IM Global, an expansion into sales and financing for top tier non-English language cinema as well as selective rights acquisitions for India and other Asian markets.

However, Ford’s holding company Ancramdale will retain a significant equity position in the business, and 40-year-old Los Angeles-based Stuart Ford will continue to hold his position under a multi-year deal.

Pvr cinemas chennai is open to chennai audiences. PVR opened its multiplex in AMPA Sky Walk Mall in chennai on 9 April 2010. It has 7 screens in total. Seating is better than Inox . It has more sleep angle and better sound and picture quality. Its at par with sathyam cinemas which has the best brand value among chennai audiences.

can pvr beat sathyam ? i dont think its possible. Do not forget to comment your views about this theatre / multiplex.

Vinnaithandi Varuvaya and Paiyaa were the first movies to be shown. Online Booking is  open and you can book tickets online through PVR cinemas website . They do have a mobile application to book tickets.

PVR Screen is better compared to INOX . Satyam has a better screen.

Mobile Booking in PVR Cinemas Chennai

SMS “PVR” to 53030 to download the app. SMS Booking is yet to be launched. PVR Mobile booking is open now.

Satyam cinemas , Mayajaal, Inox , Devi cinemas , sangam cinemas will soon face a big competitor . Satyam is the leader in chennai among multiplexes .

Online Booking / SMS Booking is in almost all Multiplexes in Chennai. Addition of PVR in chennai will lessen the demand for Tickets in Satyam , Inox mainly.

Avatar movie has crossed Rs.100 crores collection in India.

This is the second highest grossed among movies in India. The first being 3 idiots .

The aamir khan starrer 3 Idiots has collected nearly Rs.240 crores in just ten days.

It’s the highest grossing movie in Indian film history .

Kites , raavan , my name is khan are expected to earn in similar range if the content is good.

DQ Entertainment IPO is the only IPO in entertainment sector this fiscal. The company is already listed in London stock exchange.

Den Networks IPO is an other ipo from cable distribution business .

Company has already completed Rs.100 crore pre placement exercise.