UTV targets international TV networks, signs multiple deals

New Delhi, May 25 (IANS) UTV Motion Pictures has inked overseas deal worth over $1 million, including a five-film deal with a leading media firm in Seoul for exclusive terrestrial TV rights for films like 'Jodhaa Akbar' and 'Wake Up Sid'.

'The fact that a few Indian films have performed well at the (South) Korean box office, and that the Korean broadcast networks are looking for good Indian films across genres like emotional dramas and love stories, indicates that there is a surging interest in Indian films,' said Amrita Pandey, senior vice president, International Distribution and Syndication, Motion Pictures-UTV.

The deal also includes Anurag Basu's 'Life in a...Metro', Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's 'Delhi-6', and Aamir Khan Productions' 'Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na'.

'Since the target is Korean audiences, these films will be either subtitled or dubbed, depending on the specific film,' said Pandey.

UTV movies will also be aired on Al Rai TV in the Middle East for a limited period and the boquuet in the non-exclusive satellite free-to-air deal includes 'Jodhaa Akbar', 'Race' and 'Kismat Konnection'.

'For our strong library titles, these television syndication deals add significant revenue even after the first round of exploitation. Our endeavour is to monetise our IP over several platforms on an ongoing basis,' Pandey explained.

Also, for the overseas territory UTV and the Zee Network have entered into a limited term deal for non-exclusive telecast rights in non-Indian languages for 13 films, including 'Wednesday', 'Dev D' and 'Kurbaan'. These films will be aired on Zee international network channels.

On the home front, the banner has licensed five films - 'Kurbaan', 'Raajneeti', 'I Hate Luv Storys', 'Udaan' and 'We Are Family' for exclusive Indian terrestrial television rights, again for a limited period with limited runs.

It has collaborated with B4U Movies for non-exclusive satellite rights for a limited term for 13 movies that offeres titles like 'Fashion' and 'Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye'.

In addition to this, UTV has closed a 10-movie deal with satellite movie channel Enterr 10 and a 10-movie deal with Zoom.