NDTV is understood to be in talks with US entertainment major NBC universal for selling 26 per cent stake in its upcoming entertainment business.
NDTV Entertainment is a 100 per cent subsidiary of Prannoy Roy promoted New Delhi Television Limited and could be valued at up to $500 million (over Rs 2,000 crore).
It is likely to launch its entertainment channel soon. When contacted Sameer Nair, Star's ex-CEO who is now heading NDTV Entertainment, declined to comment on the deal.
NDTV and NBC, a venture of GE Group, are understood to have signed a preliminary
agreement or term sheet last week for the purpose but the value for the proposed transaction could not be ascertained.
The group would launch three channels under its entertainment venture -- NDTV Imagine.
First, general entertainment channel in Hindi is expected by the end of this year or early 2008. NDTV had recently got approval from the Foreign Investment Promotion Board for foreign investment to the tune of Rs 585 crore for its foray into entertainment and lifestyle space. Most of this investment (from Rs 585 crore or Rs 5.85 billion) will be into NDTV Imagine, the officials had said.