TV software major Endemol to open subsidiary in Mumbai

Entertainment software major Endemol - producer of popular television shows such as "Big Brother" and "Deal Or No Deal" - is opening an office in Mumbai to tap the large opportunities in India's entertainment industry.

Called Endemol India, the subsidiary plans to exploit Endemol's intellectual property within the Indian market in line with its international expansion strategy.

While Endemol is currently in negotiations with several Indian broadcasters to produce local versions of its formats, Endemol India will open with a two-year output deal with Sony Entertainment Television (SET).

Joaquim Agut Bonsfills, chief executive officer of Endemol says: "We are excited to announce the launch of Endemol India, which will play an important role in India's vibrant entertainment industry.

"Our formats have already proved their quality with broadcasters and viewers around the globe and we are delighted that Indian viewers will now have the chance to watch our groundbreaking shows."

Endemol India officially opens for business in Mumbai on Jan 2, 2006. Company sources said the India office will be headed by Rajesh Kamat, managing director, who was previously senior vice president and executive committee member of STAR India.

Kamat said in a company release: "I am happy to be part of the Endemol family. Endemol with its formats - 'Operacion Triunfo' ('Fame Gurukul'), 'Night Fever' ('Kisme Kitna Hai Dum') and 'Deal Or No Deal' has already developed a strong bond with Indian viewers.

"Having demonstrated the strength of the intellectual property, the task is now to demonstrate our production expertise by providing the Indian audiences with interesting and innovative content."

Endemol India will launch with eight full-time local staff members, consisting of both production and creative Indian talent, in addition to freelancers from Mumbai's extensive local pool.

The company release quoted Tarun Katial, executive vice president and business head of Sony Entertainment Television, as saying: "With Endemol coming to India, we are happy to cooperate with them to provide our viewers with programming which has never been experienced or seen on Indian television.

"We look forward to a long and fruitful future with Endemol and their world-renowned catalogue as well as their local production expertise. Endemol is 100 percent owned by Spanish telecom and media giant Telefonica, the largest provider of telecom and Internet services in the Spanish and Portuguese language world, with companies in 17 countries and more than 62 million customers."

India will be the 23rd country that Endemol operates in.

After rules for foreign participation in the media and television sectors were relaxed in India, several European groups have drawn up plans to invest in the country.

Earlier this year, the Independent News & Media invested 19 million pounds for a 26 percent stake in one of India's leading newspaper groups, Jagran Prakashan.

Associated Newspapers, publisher of the Daily Mail, is also reported to be considering launching a title in India.