BAG Films to launch four TV channels

The Anuradha Prasad-owned BAG Films will be diversifying into television business with the launch of four television channels with an initial investment of Rs 150 crore. These four channels will include news, entertainment and lifestyle and will be launched in 2007-08 period.

Anuradha Prasad said forward integration was the only way for her company to grow. "We have been looking at all kind of options and announcement regarding our television foray will be made at appropriate time," she said.

BAG Films produces television shows and has the licence to operate FM radio channels. The company also produces feature films. Media industry sources said that top-level officials from the Times group are expected to join in the television business of BAG Films. "Probably, BAG will form a separate television company for applying for the downlinking and uplinking permission for its channels. It is also in talks with the Times group and others to spearhead its television foray," an industry source said.

At least 20 mainstream TV channels are expected to go on air by 2008 which includes 12 channels of Peter Mukerjea's Inx Media, NDTV's entertainment and lifestyle channels and UTV's youth channel, Bindaas. While Inx Media will also launch its channels in the genre of music, news and entertainment, its other channels will be in regional languages. Together, these channels will incur an overall investment in excess of Rs 1,000 crore spread over next two years.