A sudden urge for music channels in the country. But why? Industry observers feel television houses stand to benefit by diversifying into niche segments. Music certainly is an attractive option, as the software cost is negligible. Also, a bouquet of channels will be able to woo advertisers with attractive package deals. While music channels per se won`t enthuse a media planner, a combination of niche channels (music included) and `Category One` channels (the biggies in general entertainment) could find favors with small yet national brands, which cannot afford frequency in Category One channels.
B4U is short for Bollywood For You. B4U music is a 24-hour music channel from the Bollywood For You group TV channels. B4U network aims to redefine the global perception and attitude towards Bollywood, world`s most prolific film industry. The channel has developed a devoted fan following in a short span of time. B4U VJ`s have proved to be an extraordinary success among the music lovers. The USP of B4U Music is that they can show full songs from Bollywood movies instead of just mere clips as shown by other competitive channels. B4U Music`s programming includes the biggest musical hits from the latest Bollywood movies, the Bollywood music charts, exclusive star studded interviews, non-stop dance floor hits from both the U.S. and Europe`s South Asian music scene, interactive request shows and much more.
B4U has the legal rights to show full songs unlike other channels. B4U Music is set to be a global channel with beams covering the Asian region, Middles East and the Western hemisphere. Apart from featuring Bollywood music, the channel also features exclusive star interviews from India and interactive request shows.
The B4U group was incorporated in 1999 and launched B4U Music and B4U Movies simultaneously in UK. The channels received an overwhelming response and the company went on to expand its operations in the US & UAE, before launching in India in May 2000. Within a short span of two years, B4U managed to spread its broadcasting wings globally and at present is available on more than eight different satellites and in more than 100 countries including the U.S., Canada, UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Mauritius, and India
Recently, the B4U Network has joined hands with Fashion TV (FTV), a free to air satellite channel broadcast to 100 countries. B4U has a 15-minute band at prime time to showcase Indian models on Indian ramp donning Indian designer wear. This band is repeated 4 times a day on the 24-hour global beam and provides an International window to Indian fashion and design.
B4U is changing its revenue business from promos in music channel. MTV and Channel V are not really Bollywood music channels. ETC has a Bollywood identity, but it is a promo and not a content channel. B4U has Bollywood shows like Centrestage, Star Stage, Mark for the Month and Singer of the Nation where the channel can offer packages. Promos will not make big business for the channel but they can use it creatively to strengthen their content and relationship with Bollywood. The music channel is currently contributing more to the revenue than B4U movies.
B4U music also has an ATN B4U music channel, which is a Canadian category 2 Hindi music digital cable specialty channel that is owned by Asian Television Network International Limited. It broadcasts programming from B4U Music, consisting of music from Bollywood movies and other music videos, interviews, request shows, and much more, as well as Canadian content.
