Mumbai, May 2012 – Last month, Star and ABP agreed to discontinue the Star brand affiliation with Media Content and Communications Services (India) Pvt. Ltd. which operates the three STAR-branded news channels, Star News, Star Ananda and Star Majha. This was one of the steps proposed to be taken by Star in its endeavor to refocus and reenergize the core strength of its business viz. general entertainment channels.
Given the current regulatory environment and structural issues ailing the Indian cable and satellite television market and the news genre in particular, Star took this extremely difficult decision to withdraw its brand from the genre. Star, ABP and MCCS sustained this affiliation for a lengthy period of 8 years and Star is grateful to its partners, ABP and MCCS for acting as guardians for the Star brand during this period.
The discontinuation will come in effect in phases from a period of 2 months to 4 months and the partners will work together to ensure a smooth transition during this period.
About Star:-
STAR India is a leading media and entertainment company, broadcasting 33 channels in eight languages to more than 400 million people every week across India and more than 100 countries across the globe. Its channel portfolio includes household brands Star Plus, Life Ok, Star Gold, Channel [V], Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, Star World, Star Movies, Star Utsav and joint venture channels Asianet, Asianet Plus, Star Vijay, Suvarna, Star News, ESPN and Star Sports. STAR India also manages a portfolio of business ventures including DTH operator Tata Sky, Cable system Hathway, channel distributor Media Pro Enterprise, news channel operator MCCS, south Indian broadcast business of Asianet channels and STAR Vijay, film producer and distributor Fox STAR Studios India and STAR CJ Home Shopping.
For further information please contact:-
Parul Sharma
Assistant Vice President,
Corporate Communications & Corporate Affairs
Star India Pvt. Ltd.
Tel+ 124 665 4400
Email: parul.sharma@startv.com
Luna Biswas / Nikita Crasta
Hanmer MSL
9920038219 / 9821071527
