TV18 Broadcast Ltd and Cable News Network, Inc (CNN) have decided to end their 10-year licensing agreement in January 2016 for English news channel CNN IBN in India.

The companies said that the conclusion of the arrangement will enable each company to chart its own growth trajectory independently in the country.

The brand licensing agreement and news services agreement gives the Indian news channel rights to use the name and logo of CNN, besides access and rights to re-broadcast news from CNN.

Beneficial partnership

In a statement, AP Parigi, Group CEO, Network18, said that the last decade has seen a lot of momentum in the Indian media industry.

“During this time, we witnessed two media houses coming together to redefine the way news is presented to a demanding audience. We at TV18 have benefited from this relationship with CNN,” he added.

Replying to an e-mail query sent by BusinessLine , Rani Raad, Chief Commercial Officer, CNN International, said: “The partnership ran the natural course of its agreement and a mutual decision was made to chart our own respective growth independently. We are very proud of what we have co-created with TV18 for the Indian market.”

Another Indian player?

On whether the company is in talks with another Indian player for a similar partnership Raad said, “CNN remains deeply committed to long-term participation in India, one of the world’s largest and most vibrant media markets. As is the natural course of business, we continue to explore opportunities in India and every other important market around the world.”

Last year, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) acquired controlling stake in Network 18 Media & Investments Ltd, including its subsidiary TV18 Broadcast Ltd, through Independent Media Trust (IMT).

TV18 has a programme and trademark licence agreement with CNBC-AP, which enables Network18 to use CNBC's name and logo for the production and broadcast of CNBC TV18 till 2018.

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