Press Releases
NDTV Imagine Launched
| NDTV Imagine Arlington, TX – Mar. 11, 2009 – The NDTV Group launched NDTV Imagine, their flagship Hindi General Entertainment network, on February 4th, 2009. The channel is available exclusively on DISH Network®, as part of DISH Network’s 16-channel Hindi Mega Pack for $54.99 per month.
NDTV Imagine which offers a wide variety of programming ranging from light-hearted family soaps to period dramas, celebrity studded music shows and glamorous entertainment industry events has been very well received. The flood of calls from people all around has gone to show an extremely positive response. Popular programs include: “Oye Its Friday,” presented by Farhan Akhtar; “Raju Haazir Ho,” hosted by India’s favorite funnyman, Raju Srivastav; Junoon, and Nachle Ve and“Jassuben Jayantilaal Joshi Ki,” a light-hearted drama chronicling the lives of a joint family, among others. The company has partnered with India’s leading production houses including Red Chillies Idiot Box (Shahrukh Khan), Balaji Telefilms (Ekta Kapoor), Sagar Arts (Ramanand Sagar), Hats Off Productions, Rajshri Films, Sphere Origins and DJ’s A Creative Unit among others, bringing viewers the very best in Hindi entertainment and showcasing some of the country’s most loved television actors.
“Television plays an important role in the lives of over 2.6 million AsianIndians expatriates in this region. On NDTV Imagine, you can expect to get a differentiated experience,” said Sameer Nair, CEO of NDTV Imagine. “We recognize the need for fresh and insightful programming, and have created innovative and entertaining shows that will connect with audiences in this region. We are encouraged with the response that NDTV Imagine has received in India and other markets, and are looking forward to cementing our position in the U.S. in coming months with DISH Network.” “DISH Network is thrilled to become the exclusive provider of NDTV Imagine in the U.S.,” said Chris Kuelling, vice president of International Programming for DISH Network Corporation. “Adding NDTV Imagine to our lineup allows us to offer our customers even more popular options with our extensive South Asian programming platform, providing the best quality channels at the best value nationwide.”
“The initial reaction to the channel has been very promising. We are constantly receiving calls from consumers asking questions of the programming line-up, availability and cost,” said Dheeraj Kapuria, CEO World Media Connect.NDTV Imagine has joined hands with World Media Connect LLC (WMC) for its business Operations in Europe and American continents. WMC will be responsible for NDTV Imagine’s Marketing, Distribution and Advertising Sales related operations. The recently launched shows like “Knights and Angels,” “Ghar Ki Baat Hai,” and “Bandini,” have been well received for their production values and content. ·“Ghar Ki Baat hai,” is the first production for television from “Red Chillies’ Idiot Box,” a company owned by the Bollywood icon,Sharukh Khan and his wife. ·“Knight and Angels” is the first of its kind reality show from India. It is the first televised hunt for the cheerleaders for Kolkata – Knight Riders (IPL cricket team owned by Shahrukh Khan). Shot in its grandeur with Shahrukh Khan and ex-Indian Cricket team captain Saurav Ganguly as the judges, the show reeks of glamour and style.
“Bandini,” is a family drama where a young girl is married into a powerful family only to find that her marriage was a marriage of convenience. It is an intense story of age, class and caste divide through the eyes of a young bride. A Balaji Production, it is shot in style and opulence typical of all Ekta Kapoor Productions and is already a winner. Added to the fare is a stack of top of the line and quality movies which the network has picked recently. Some of the names which include, Kismat Konnection, Jodha Akhbar, Bhootnath, Maan Gaye Mugale Azam, Jab We Met, Jaane Tu Ya Jane Na, Singh is King and Welcome. For more information on NDTV Imagine programming visit www.NDTVImagine.com. For more information on DISH Network call 1-800-333-DISH or visit www.dishnetwork.com. For more Information on World Media Connect LLC call 817 446 9300 or write to contact@worldmediaconnect.com. About NDTV IMAGINE NDTV Imagine is the new entertainment initiative from NDTV Ltd. Spearheaded by Sameer Nair, the company has planned strategic forays into key businesses in the media and entertainment space. Ace director and producer, Karan Johar is a creative consultant and brand ambassador of this initiative.This is further strengthened by the experience of Dr. Prannoy Roy and other seasoned professionals. As part of its larger plans for this dynamic and exciting business, the company has launched a Hindi General Entertainment also christened NDTV Imagine. The channel which launched on January 21st, promises to ‘Entertain and Delight’ audiences with a whole new world of Hindi entertainment. Catering to the needs of the entire spectrum of television viewers, the channel offers a wide variety of fresh programming across genres ranging from light-hearted family soaps to period dramas and from music based shows to the most glamorous events of the industry.
For more on NDTV Imagine, please contact: For India: Zeenat Khan: +91 022 67733999 About World Media Connect World Media Connect is in the business of bringing together the programmers and distribution platforms across the world. It is working with the Indian television programmers fulfill their overseas dreams. It is also in the process assisting several foreign channels find revenue opportunity in the exponentially growing Indian television market. World Media Connect is founded and led by Dheeraj Kapuria, widely regarded as among the pioneers of the South Asian Television in United States and has been responsible for successful television product launches across globe. With him, is the team which shares over 75 years of experience within the industry and across disciplines such as, Business Strategy, Product Strategy, Marketing, Distribution, Ad Sales, etc. in South Asia, Americas and Europe. For more information please contact: For US: Anoop Nigam: 817 446 9300 About DISH Network Corporation DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), the nation’s third largest pay-TV provider and the leader in digital television, provides approximately 13.78 million satellite TV customers as of Sept. 30, 2008 with industry-leading customer satisfaction which has surpassed major cable TV providers for eight consecutive years. DISH Network also provides customers with award-winning HD and DVR technology including the ViP®722 HD DVR, which received the Editors’ Choice awards from both CNET and PC Magazine. In addition, subscribers enjoy access to hundreds of video and audio channels, the most International channels in the U.S., industry-leading Interactive TV applications, Latino programming, and the best sports and movies in HD. DISH Network offers a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America, the DishDVR Advantage Package, high-speed Internet service, and a free upgrade to the best HD DVR in the industry. DISH Network is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.dishnetwork.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.
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