| Star India is gearing up to launch at least three new channels by next year. On the drawing board are plans to go regional with Telugu and Bangla entertainment channels.
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| Also on the cards is a children's channel that's being planned in collaboration with animation companies.
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| Media industry sources say that Star has approached animation companies to be its equity partners in the children's channel venture.
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| A Star India executive confirmed that the company is eyeing the Telugu and Bangla market. However, he added that there is no immediate plan to foray the kids' television segment.
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| To test the waters in the Bangla television market, Star proposes to introduce an entertainment band on Star Ananda, its joint venture partner in the Bangla news market.
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| "We are expected to start a couple of serials on Star Ananda in the afternoon slot,"said the Star source.
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| The current players in the Bangla entertainment segment are Eenadu, Zee Bangla, Aakash Bangla and Doordarshan.
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| Among the news channels are 24 Ghanto, Star Ananda, Tara and Kolkata TV. Broadcasting consultancy Mediaguru estimates the total Bangla TV market to be Rs 170 crore.
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| Media planners, however, say that the Rs 100 crore children's TV market is hot as advertising in this segment is growing at between 15 to 20 per cent a year.
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| High spending product categories such as chocolates, soft drinks, health beverages, toothpastes and even cars are targeting this genre.
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| The existing crop of children's channels includes Disney Channel, Toon Disney and Hungama from Walt Disney, Cartoon Network and POGO from Turner International and Animax from Sony.
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| Among the news and entertainment channels in the Telugu TV market are brands Eenadu TV, Gemini, Teja and Adithya from the Sun group, Zee Telugu, MAA TV and TV9. |
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