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NDTV-Star statement on divorce round the bend

BS ICE Bureau

It is almost official now. New Delhi-based TV production house NDTV has informed its staffers in an internal meeting that it is poised to part ways with Rupert Murdoch-controlled Star.

A joint press release from both the parties to this effect is expected mid-week after Star launches its Chinese channel marking its foray in the huge Chinese cable and satellite TV market.

The statement is likely to dwell on the fact that NDTV, in contract with Hong Kong-based Star Group for five years to supply content to be aired on Star News channel, would not be the sole and exclusive content provider for the news channel after March 2003 when the present agreement comes to an end.

Subsequent to March 2003, Star will also have the editorial control over Star News and both NDTV and Star will be free to deal with third party companies for future business deals, cable and satellite TV industry sources said.

The sources also said last week in an internal meeting, the Roys of NDTV told their colleagues that a parting with Star was indeed imminent. But NDTV is still undecided on whether to approach another channel or launch its own channel.

Last year, NDTV had said it proposed to launch an infotainment channel, NDTV World, mainly aimed at Indians and people of Indian origin abroad.

Subsequently, the plan was put on the backburner as NDTV realised distribution of a stand-alone channel may pose problems.

Star India chief executive Peter Mukerjea too in an interview to this paper had said they were not interested in distributing NDTV's proposed channel.

However, NDTV has offloaded about 20 per cent stake in its subsidiary NDTV World to financial institutions and private investors. The subsidiary is now producing a 52-episode celebrity show for Star's rival Zee TV.

On its part, Star, according to the sources, is expected to put together a news team of its own to run Star News post-March 2003. The industry is abuzz with talks that several high profile editors are in the running to head Star's news operation.

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