Zodiak Takes Stake in Indian Production Company

STOCKHOLM, January 16: Zodiak Television has finalized the
acquisition of a 35-percent stake in the Indian production company Sol, after
having entered a Memorandum of Understanding back in fall.

Sol, an independent production house specializing in
non-fiction entertainment and event management, was launched in 2003 by the
former UTV executive producers Kamna Nirula Menezes and Fazila Allana. It is
the producer of The STAR Parivaar Awards,
which has consistently been the highest-rated event in India, as well as the
award-winning shows Koffee with Karan and Nach Baliye, among
others.

“The Indian
content market is one of the most vibrant in the world,” said Patrick
Svensk, the president and CEO of Zodiak Television. “A country that has 220
million households, 50 percent of which have TV sets with 70 million
multichannel, is an exciting prospect for us. With around 70 new channels set
to launch this winter alone, the scope for content production is mind-blowing!
Sol and its founders have a perfect platform, network and reputation, and we’re
extremely pleased to be working with them as we enter this fascinating arena.”

Allana, who
is also the managing director of Sol, commented: “We’ve been watching with
interest the amazing expansion of Zodiak throughout Europe for a while now. The
time is right for us to link up with a big, international player to extend our
brand outside of India and to grow our programming portfolio within it.”

For the
launch of the Indian entertainment channel NDTV Imagine in January, Sol has
closed two major commissions: Nach Le Ve with Saroj Khan, with Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan, and the
original reality show Dhoom Macha De,
where 11 professional singers will compete for the title of India’s best live
performer. Zodiak Television’s distribution unit Zodiak International will
license and distribute Sol’s formats internationally, excluding India.

—By Kristin Brzoznowski