B4U (network)

B4U is a television network focused on Bollywood based entertainment. The network operates the six channels B4U Music, B4U Movies, B4U Kadak, B4U Bhojpuri, B4U Aflam and B4U Plus which are at present available on more than 8 different satellites, in more than 100 countries in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.[2] In addition the company operates B4U Motion Pictures, which is a media and entertainment production subsidiary. It was formed and jointly owned by Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, movie producer Kishore Lulla, Bharat Shah and London-based industrialist Gokul Binani.

B4U Movies logo
B4U Music logo

B4U
TypeTelevision
AvailabilityInternational
Broadcast area
Worldwide
ParentAbercross Holdings Ltd.[1]
Launch date
1 September 1999 (United Kingdom)
3 September 2000 (India)
Official website
b4utv.com

Company history

In 1999, the newly formed network launched B4U Movies and B4U Music in the UK on the Sky Digital platform as a subscription package along with Sony Entertainment Television.[3] The launch was surrounded in controversy, with rival network Zee TV claiming that B4U had stolen its database of subscribers in the UK. The B4U management claimed that they had got hold of the database from ex-employees and has been using it to send mailers promoting its service.[4] In 2001, the network went on to launch the channels in the United States and Canada and the Middle East by the end of the year.

By 2000, B4U had established itself as a leading brand in Bollywood entertainment for the Indian Diaspora.[5] The launch was surrounded in controversy, with rival network Zee TV claiming that B4U had stolen its database of subscribers in the UK. The B4U management claimed that they had got hold of the database from ex-employees and has been using it to send mailers promoting its service.[6] As well as expanding into Europe, Africa and Asia, the network debuted in India to popular acclaim. B4U brand awareness increased after the company signed a deal with FTV to broadcast Indian fashion shows throughout the world. The network also became involved in local level promotions like showing Indian fashion shows in theatres, promoting new faces and organising fashion shows and contests throughout India and the world.[7] The Network gained further international attention and acclaim after winning 9 Promax Awards in 2001.[8] By this time the B4U company was a main rival to Zee TV and Sony in the Indian broadcasting market. The network then ventured into movie production in 2002, co-producing all films produced by iDream.[9] In addition the B4U network started to produce much more local content for the various local versions of its channels.

Television Channels

  • B4U Music – Hindi Music Channel in India
  • B4U Movies – Hindi Movie Channel in India
  • B4U Kadak – Latest Hindi Movie Channel In India
  • B4U BhojpuriBhojpuri language Movie Channel in India
  • B4U AflamArabic language Movie Channel in MENA region
  • B4U Plus – Hindi Gec Entertainment channel for MENA region & also will launch in India
  • B4U Hitz – Upcoming Latest Music Channel In India
  • B4U Dhadak – Upcoming Punjabi Entertainment channel
  • B4U Bomb – Upcoming Marathi Movies Channel In India
  • B4U Action – Upcoming Action Movie channel
  • B4U Flix – Upcoming English Movie channel
  • B4U Filmy – Upcoming Classic Hindi Movie Channel

B4U Today

The network has a strong presence in Indian culture and is one of the 'Big Three' Indian television networks to operate worldwide. The B4U brand is now well known over the world, with the network staging many high-profile events such as The Times of India new talent searches, and the Mayor of London's annual Diwali Festival in Trafalgar Square.[10]

B4U Films

B4U Films (alternatively named, B4U Productions Plc.) is a wholly owned subsidiary of B4U TV Ltd. (B4U), Mumbai based media and entertainment production company. It was started in 1997, and handles the motion picture production and distribution of B4U.

B4U Films produces films in Bollywood as well as in Punjab, where it partners with other leading film studios. They distribute Lollywood movies as well.

It first produced, Bhai, which starred Suniel Shetty, Kader Khan and Kunal Khemu. Bhai failed at the box office, but later helped with the home-production of Bollywood 1957 classic movie, Mother India. In 2015 they started distributed Pakistani films by distributing Karachi Se Lahore worldwide. The latest film, they had distributed was Mahira Khan starred Pakistani romantic comedy film 7 Din Mohabbat In.

2021

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

1997

  • Bhai (co-production with The Culture Company)

1957

References

  1. "B4U sells majority stake to Abercross Holdings for £20 million". CableQuest Magazine. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  2. B4U Television (2 October 2001). "B4U – Bollywood charms, global audience". B4utv.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  3. "Screen Digest – UK's Asian channels fight for market share". Highbeam.com. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  4. The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter - ZEE TO LAUNCH TV WORLD Archived 13 December 2004 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Palan Barakrishnan (25 February 2002). "Tigers in a prize fight". Guardian. London. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  6. The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter – Zee to Launch TV World Archived 13 December 2004 at the Wayback Machine
  7. The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter – B4U Ties Up With FTV, To Launch Music Channel in India & Southern Channel Oversease
  8. "B4U strikes gold-n-silver at Promax & BDA Asia 2001 Awards". Indiantelevision.com. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  9. "B4U ties up with iDream; to be co-producer in all its films". indiantelevision.com. 29 August 2002. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  10. "B4U Network to celebrate Diwali in London". Indiantelevision.com. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  11. https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/10/07/rangreza-poster-finally-released-and-boy-it-looks-good/
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