The Subhash Chandra-promoted Zee Network, which currently airs the 24-hour English movie channel Zee MGM, is planning to launch a new Hollywood movie channel. The company is also open to the idea of roping in a strategic partner for the new channel.
Zee currently has four Hindi movie channels: Zee Cinema, Zee Premier, Zee Action and Zee Classic. The decision comes close on the heels of the global acquisition of MGM by Sony, which puts a question mark on the Zee MGM joint venture.
Confirming the development, Ajay Trigunayat, vice president (Zee MGM, Zee English, Trendz and MX) told Business Standard: "We are planning to launch an independent English movie channel. However, we are yet to take a final call on the issue. Currently, our strategy, programming and management teams are evaluating the proposal from various angles."
The company would be sourcing content from independent production companies as well as an in-house library.
Trigunayat said that the global acquisition of MGM by Sony does not necessarily mean the end of Zee's joint venture with MGM. The distribution alliance is due for renewal by the end of 2004.
"The deal itself will take some time to materialise. At this juncture, we have not been informed about any changes in the partnership. Moreover, all movie titles are acquired for a limited period and for limited number of runs and we will continue to own the right till they are valid," he added.
Currently, Zee MGM's movie library comprises around 650 movies which have been acquired either independently by Zee, through its joint venture with MGM or through Zee's partnership with independent companies like Miramax, Paramount, PVR, Lakeshore, Icon and Rosilini.
Zee acquired the Indiana Jones trilogy in partnership with Paramount while Kill Bill was acquired in partnership with Miramax. Also, Zee MGM has access to more than 4,000 film titles of MGM, which include the James Bond movies, Rocky, Woody Allen movies and the Pink Panther series.
Zee MGM's other assets include Chicago, George Clooney's Confessions of a dangerous mind, Steve Soderberg's Full Frontal starring Julia Roberts, Birthday Girl starring Nicole Kidman and Duplex with Drew Barrymore.
Other titles include Thelma and Louise, Moonstruck, Silence of the Lambs, RainMan, Fargo, Get Shorty and Dances with the Wolves.
Reel-life drama
Channel mix-up: The decision comes shortly after the global acquisition of MGM by Sony which puts a question mark on the Zee MGM venture