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B4U Music - news archive

This is an archive of news about B4U Music. Some links may no longer work, due to the transient nature of the internet.

INX Media to launch 9XM in the UK imminently
From Biz Asia. Posted July 9 2008, 5.20pm
INX Media's music channel 9XM is on course to launch in the UK on Sky Digital imminently. According to a source close to BizAsia.co.uk, a deal has been sought and the channel will join its flagship Hindi GEC 9X shortly. INX Media is keeping tight-lipped and refused to comment on a date of the launch. 9XM has fast become India's leading music channels. Recently 9XM retained a massive lead over its rivals with 54 GRPs in C&S 4yrs+, followed by MTV – 19 GRPs and Channel [V] -7 GRPs. 9X is currently available free-to-air on Sky Digital EPG 828. B4U Music, ZEE Music and Music India are the only other Bollywood music channels broadcasting in the UK. Keep it with BizAsia.co.uk for the exclusive news break. Related links: 9X & 9XM consolidate their positions in India EXCLUSIVE: EX-STAR Nick Thind joins 9X UK STAR UK's Vice President Nick Thind leaves 9X continues steady climb; now India's No.3 9X makes official UK launch on Sky Digital EXCLUSIVE: Interview with 9X on UK launch UK launch for 9X to take place on Monday? EXCLUSIVE: 9X to take DD News EPG slot EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent 9X surges to fourth position in India EXCLUSIVE: 9X UK launch imminent NDTV Imagine set for UK launch Bolly stars lead panel on new 9X reality show Music channel establishes lead position in India 9X & Bindaas begin eating into popular channels New channel 9X opens to a mixed response INX Network to launch channel in India this month STAR India's legal head quits network It's official! Top bosses quit STAR India Siddhartha Basu turns producer for ZEE TV soap (more)

DD India removed from Sky Digital EPG
From Biz Asia. Posted June 19 2008, 12.23am
India's state broadcaster DD India's foray into the UK market seems to be shortlived after the channel was removed from the Sky Digital EPG. When contacted Rayat TV, who run the channel here, denied rumours of closure and instead wanted to reinforce the message to viewers via BizAsia.co.uk that DD India will be returning on air after a four-week span. Whilst a reason behind the EPG removal wasn't explained, our source did say that the channel was undergoing a management restructure and was also in the midst of revamping the UK recorded shows. Some in the industry are little sceptical about today's developments as until today, the channel's EPG was displaying "programmes not available" message on the EPG banner, since last weekend. Also, recently DD had sold its News EPG slot to 9X. DD India has vowed to return next month, whether it does is a completely different take. Before removal, the channel was on EPG 833. As always, keep it with us for the very latest on developments on DD India. Related links: EXCLUSIVE: 9X to take DD News EPG slot Doordarshan India signs to audience measuring body B4U Music joins distribution hands with DD Doordarshan News temporarily off air Sanjhi Awaz to broadcast hour strand on DD (more)

B4U Music becomes first Asian channel on Freesat
From Biz Asia. Posted May 8 2008, 4.44pm
B4U Music has become the first Asian television channel to launch on the much publicised BBC and ITV backed free to air satellite service - Freesat. (more)

B4U Music joins distribution hands with DD
From Biz Asia. Posted February 18 2008, 10.38pm
One of the UK's leading Asian music channel B4U Music will be launching on Direct+ - the DTH offering from Doordarshan, the only terrestrial network in India . The offering from Direct+, which has been made available since earlier this month, is a boost to B4U Music which has recently been making inroads into various cable and satellite platforms. With the availability on DD DTH, it will extend B4U Music's viewership across India as Doordarshan is one of the world’s largest terrestrial broadcaster with over 1400 TV transmitters located throughout India covering 88% of the country’s geographical area. "We are absolutely delighted to be on board DD’s DTH service. With its enormous reach across the nation, a whole new audience will now view the exciting programmes and scintillating music that B4U Music offers. Something that millions of Indians in UK and USA have been experiencing for years," said Sunil Rohra, Global CEO, B4U Network. The Direct+ DTH platform from Doordarshan will carry 33 FTA TV Channels and 12 All India Radio Channels on its DTH platform which can be received throughout India on free-to-air basis by consumers. The number of TV channels will be increased to 50 and all India Radio channels to 40 in due course of time. B4U Music at present is already available on more than eight different satellites, in more than 100 countries including the US, UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Mauritius Canada and India. (more)

B4U Music to partner-up with UK AMAs
From Biz Asia. Posted February 18 2008, 8.50am
The media partner for the UK Asian Music Awards (UK AMAs) has been confirmed as B4U Music. The popular music TV channel will be headline sponsors for the event, which takes place on Thursday 6th March at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, London. Furthermore B4U Music presenter Salil will be co-presenting with singer Priya Kalidas. B4U Music also holds the exclusive television rights to broadcast the event at a later date. Related link: Five radio shows compete for UK AMA gong (more)

ZEE Muzic unveils new on-air packaging
From Biz Asia. Posted December 25 2007, 11.39pm
ZEE Muzic has freshened up its on-air look with a set of new graphics including the introduction of a glossy blue animating logo. ZEE Muzic's promotional activities thus far have centered around the colour red with a significant 'Z' to coincide with the network's other channel logos. The new logo is different to the four other ZEE Network UK channels - ZEE TV, ZEE Cinema, ZEE Gujarati and Alpha ETC Punjabi, as it dons a rectangle shape rather than the diamond used previously. The light blue tone is no doubt a strategy being used to revamp and reposition the channel with a focus on celebrity-based music shows. In India, ZEE Muzic has been performing well with spin-off 'Sa Re Ga Ma Pa' shows, which are screened directly after the main show on sister channel ZEE TV. ZEE Muzic is also expected to announce a slew of new programmes in the coming weeks to run on par with the channel's new image. In the UK, ZEE Muzic and rival channel B4U Music were joined with a new addition called Music India, which is being distributed by MATV. Related link: Music India begins official UK transmission (more)

B4U Music to provide content to TinselVision
From Biz Asia. Posted November 22 2007, 9.09am
TinselVision™, a premium online video-on-demand destination serving South Asian entertainment fans outside the Indian subcontinent, announced today it will offer about 500 hours of Indian and Bollywood music videos and programming from B4U Music. B4U currently delivers Bollywood music videos, Indipop and music programming over nearly 10 different satellites to audiences in more than 100 countries including the US, UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Canada and India. B4U Network and their B4U Music division are, by all measures, at the forefront of the Indian music broadcasting industry. The deal with TinselVision provides yet another premium television network content provider with potentially huge opportunities for new online audiences and increased overseas receipts. "Our consistent investments of time and resources into developing a strong relationship with B4U senior management has been time very well spent," says Chase Weir, Chairman and CEO of TinselVision, adding "Sunil Rohra and his team at B4U clearly have their fingers on the global pulse of Indian music entertainment fans. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship as we extend their presence and practice in our target markets." Speaking of the partnership and agreement, CEO of B4U Networks, Sunil Rohra, offers, "We have been visiting with the TinselVision principals now for nearly a year. This is a very able and expertly guided venture with huge marketplace promise and, truly unique talents for building trusted partnerships. We look with real anticipation for the fruits of our contributed value and their tireless labors in convergence media." The deal with B4U marks TinselVision's fifth major deal to bring content from India’s top movie producers and music houses entertainment to the Web. Over the past few months, the company has announced numerous tie-ups with other channels and studios. "We are rapidly closing the circle on our 360 degree content strategy," adds Pankaj Bhushan, VP of S&M for the company and, the executive who negotiated the license. "Our subscribers now have more than just the best India produces in television and film, and premium, free titles and infotainment. With B4U Music, and news to follow shortly, we add the best in music programming as we become the online entertainment destination for Bollywood and Indian entertainment." TinselVision will announce additional content agreements in the coming days as the US-based Indian-centric venture prepares for its beta services premier and exclusive launch party in Bollywood. As well as B4U Music, content from other broadcasters such as STAR, ZEE TV, ZEE Cinema and Zoom is also available on the website. TinselVision is available here. (more)

B4U Music unveils Diwali special track
From Biz Asia. Posted October 24 2007, 9.59pm
In a first for a UK Asian TV channel, B4U Music has unveiled a Diwali special track, which will play a pivotal role in this year's Mayor of London celebrations taking place on Sunday 28th October. 'Diwali On The Square' as the event is known, is sponsored by B4U Network and will be held at Trafalagar Square. The track titled 'Diwali Aayi Re' will be showcased officially at 'Diwali On The Square'. The song which is composed and sung by Karunya has a catchy and upbeat tune. Karunya said, "I have composed and sang Diwali Aaayi Re exclusively for B4U viewers keeping in mind the festive spirit of the season. I look forward to more such endeavours with the channel. I wish you all a very Happy Diwali and hope you enjoy the song as much as I did." Karunya who made his debut in Bollywood with 'Aane Charane' in 'Lage Raho Munnabhai', also features in the video of the song along with B4U VJ’s Salil and Khushboo. Related link: B4U to sponsor London Mayor's Diwali event (more)

New TV music channel to launch next year
From Biz Asia. Posted August 23 2007, 10.59pm
The Asian music TV space here in the UK is all set to heat up in the coming months. The four existing music channels - B4U Music, ZEE Music, Aag and The Muzik will face stiff competition from a new contender Enter 10, which has confirmed it will launch "early 2008". Currently Enter 10 is in the Sky Digital application process. When it launches the channel aims to tap into the same audience as its rivals listed above. Enter 10's programming will consist of Hindi music from films and non-film albums, along with music events and original programming. Unlike B4U Music and ZEE Music UK, the new channel will also present old film music from various eras between the 1960s to the 1990s. Not only that, Enter 10 promises to bring a fresh angle to Indian Music from Indipop to Bhajans(religious) to remixes, raga and rock. Before the launch of Enter 10, we could see the arrival of STAR's music offering Channel [V] which has been contemplating a UK launch for the past few months. Music India, owned by Sangeet Bangla Network Private Limited is planning to expand too with a UK launch on the anvil. A timeframe of two months has been specified by a source close to BizAsia.co.uk. (more)

Asian TV channels in Sky EPG reshuffle
From Biz Asia. Posted August 6 2007, 9.00am
Selected Asian TV channels on Sky Digital have been given new EPG numbers. As revealed first by BizAsia.co.uk, the changes are taking place to make room for additional new services in the already packed out 'International' genre of Sky Digital's EPG. Some broadcasters have opted to remain in their existing EPG slot and some have moved down the EPG to fill up vacant slots in the category. The new EPG list is as below: 780 B4U Movies 781 B4U Music 782 Sony TV Asia 783 STAR One 784 STAR Plus 785 PCNE Chinese 786 Bangla TV 787 mta-muslim tv 788 ZEE TV 789 ZEE Music 790 ZEE Cinema 791 ARY Digital 792 PTV Prime 793 MATV National 794 DW-TV 795 TVEi 796 Abu Dhabi TV 797 SouthForYou 798 Alpha ETC Punjabi 799 TV5 800 MAX 801 Record TV 802 DM Digital 803 804 ARY QTV 805 DM Gold 806 ARY The Musik 807 Venus TV 808 Aastha TV 809 810 STAR News 811 STAR Gold 812 PTV Global 813 Islam Channel 814 Channel 'S' 815 GEO UK 816 ZEE Gujarati 817 Aapna Channel 818 Mana Telugu 819 Filmy 820 Sahara One 821 Aaj Tak 822 823 824 AAG 825 826 Channel S NTV 827 Channel S ATN 828 Channel Punjab 829 830 831 832 DD-News 833 DD-India 834 835 836 837 838 839 Related links: New EPG numbers for Asian channels on Sky Asian channels set for EPG reshuffle on Sky (more)

Media goes ga ga over movie 'Awarapan'
From Biz Asia. Posted June 3 2007, 7.58pm
On the 29th of June, three blockbuster movies (Apne, Aap Ka Suroor and Awarapan) will clash at the box office, however one, which is fast becoming a firm favourite amongst the media in the UK and abroad is Mahesh Bhatt's 'Awarapan' starring Emran Hashmi and Shreya Saran. The music scored by Pritam for the film has already topped many charts around the world after only two weeks on release. Key media have been invited for Sa Re Ga Ma's press conference of 'Awarapan', being held in Central London on Tuesday (5th June) evening. B4U will exclusively capture the performances by Pakistani singers, Annie and Rafaqat Ali Khan, who are likely to render their hit numbers from the film's soundtrack for the media. Emraan Hashmi and Mukesh Bhatt will do a Q&A session with the media. ARY Digital is the TV partner of the film in the U.A.E, AVS TV in the US and B4U in the UK. The making of 'Awarapan' is likely to be telecast exclusively in the UK on ZEE TV and ZEE Cinema in the week preceding the film's release on 29th June. Both ZEE Music and B4U Music in the UK will also screen the making of the film's music in the coming days. Studio 18 is releasing 'Awarapan' internationally. (more)

Two new models join B4U Music line-up
From Biz Asia. Posted February 24 2007, 10.58am
Two new faces from the world of modelling have joined B4U Music, in an attempt to freshen up the network's look. Asad Shaan has a background in acting and has studied at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute and New York Film Academy. He also won the title of Mr Asia UK. Khushboo on the other hand has extended her modeling and choreography career to television. VJ Asad will anchor popular programmes 'Video Active', 'Flash', 'Star Stop', 'Special' on B4U Music and 'Centre Stage' and 'Bollywood Unlimited' on B4U movies. Meanwhile, Khushboo will front 'Video on Call', 'First Cut', 'India Top 10' and 'Bollywood 20 to 1' on B4U Music. B4U Movies and B4U Music are currently in the process of sprucing up the channel's output with the addition of new shows and movies being acquired. Earlier this year, B4U announced it will exclusively be screening hit movies 'Guru', 'Umrao Jaan' and 'Nishabd'. Related link: B4U Movies secures three big Bachchan movies (more)

ZEE Music adds new ETC shows from February
From Biz Asia. Posted January 30 2007, 10.44pm
ZEE Music will be revamped in February with the addition of new shows from sister channel ETC Entertainment in India. ZEE Music UK has been trailing behind rival B4U Music in the popularity stakes and hopes the recently launched shows (B News, Wild 10, Just Out, Hip Shakers) along with the new ones planned can further strengthen the position of ZEE Music. Viewers may recall, ZEE Music UK has previously shown ETC Entertainment shows, these were discontinued temporarily to make way for other programmes. Some of these shows, however, are making a return next month. A new show called 'Top Gear' will air daily at 07:00, 12:30 and 18:00. The latest film promos will be shown in 'Hit List' daily at 09:00 and 21:00. A mixture of released and non-released movie tracks will occupy the 14:00 slot in the shape of 'Mix Masala'. With these shows, the channel is increasing its film music content. Non-film music will also be visible but without much emphasis. Popular strands like ‘Phat Trax’ and ‘Remix Factory’ and the Bhangra jukebox ‘ZEE Music Box’ will continue as per normal. The revamped schedule goes live from Thursday 1st February. (more)