The Hindu Business Line : Sahara One Motion Pictures to supply content to ETV channels

HAVING struck a deal with Star Gold to premier 64 films, Sahara One Motion Pictures now plans to extend its library to the Eenadu Group for its ETV channels.

Speaking to Business Line, Mr Sandeep Bhargava, COO, Sahara One Motion Pictures, said, "We are in the process of signing a deal with ETV through which 200 films from our library will be made available to them. These will be Hindi films, which will be aired on its regional channels of ETV.''

According to the arrangement with Star India Pvt Ltd, 64 films produced by Sahara One Motion Pictures will be premiered on Star Gold within one year.

Twelve-fifteen of these movies would be telecast on Star Gold in December as part of the channel's Super Six initiative.

However, the first priority is always given to its associate television channel - Sahara One. "The first telecast of our films is always on Sahara One and only after that will the films go to Star Gold. Only two further telecasts will be allowed and then the rights would come back to us,'' said Mr Bhargava.

Sahara One Motion Pictures is one of the largest studios producing movies. It is also in the business of distribution, promotion and marketing of content.

"The kind of deals that we strike with satellite channels is somewhat different since we allow the films to get premiered for a particular number of telecasts and then the rights come back to us,'' said Mr Bhargava.

According to Mr Bhargava, "The company is an independent profit centre and will strike deals which gives us the right kind of money and there are a host of syndication deals being struck. At the end of the day we are content providers and will sell our content across the world.''