Star group adds Times Now and Zoom to its bouquet

September 5, 2007 | |

Sections: Launches & Strategies, Television

Star Group (STAR) has announced a multi-year subscription relationship with Times Now and Zoom. Times Now is one of India’s leading English news channels and Zoom is one of the most watched lifestyle and entertainment channels in the country. The changing landscape with increasing digitisation presents an opportunity to both channels to grow a multi-revenue strategy. Star’s own bouquet service offering grows stronger with these two channels.

“Times Now and Zoom are strong brands in India and have grown from strength to strength since their launch in the country. This new partnership between India’s two most powerful media organizations, Star India and the Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited will combine our complimentary strengths into an invincible amalgam,” said Paritosh Joshi, President, STAR India.

Star will represent Times Now and Zoom, to build subscription business analog cable industry; DTH platforms and other digital delivery systems.

Commenting on the deal, Sunil Lulla, Times Now CEO, said, “Times Now is very pleased to build this new relationship with Star. The channel has enjoyed enormous confidence which enables it to earn subscription revenues. With this relationship Times Now augments the Star Group’s bouquet offering with India’s leading English news channel.”

Suresh Bala, Zoom CEO, said, “For Zoom this relationship with Star enables it to grow its subscription revenue at a faster rate. Zoom enjoys a strong franchise with urban and upscale audiences, with its unique offering of glamour and Bollywood news. This will further strengthen Star India’s customer offering.”

Both channels expect to grow their penetration across India via the Star bouquet; while Star continues to grow the width of its offering. Times now and Zoom will remain free-to-air (FTA) in current CAS markets.

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