Discovery is set to launch a new mass entertainment channel next month called Jeet with general entertainment shows in Hindu, which will also be broadcast in Tamil and Telugu.
According to a report in Business Standard, Discovery has also signed an exclusive contract with Netflix to cater to a digital audience as well. Netflix, as its exclusive global over-the-top (OTT) partner will pay a license fee to Discovery. Though not immediately after it’s aired, the shows will be available on Netflix.
According to the report, Karan Bajaj who is the senior vice-president and general manager, South Asia, Discovery Communications India said, “Netflix will pay a license fee to Discovery to access its Jeet library”.
“The deal ensures that Jeet’s content will be available to audiences across markets. Those interested in the content can binge-watch each series after it is aired on the channel”.Karan Bajaj
“India has around 250 million television households, of which the top 15-20 million are familiar with us and watch us keenly. They are also digitally-savvy and our strategy there would be to use a digital pivot to reach them. With Jeet, we are tapping the next rung, which consists of around 120 million households,” Bajaj said.
A show based on the life of yoga guru Ramdev, another on the Battle of Saragarhi, and a fictional story, Mere Papa Hero Hiralal are set to be released on Netflix.
(Source: Business Standard)
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