NDTV & STAR announce a major commercial tie-up

NDTV Ltd. and STAR India (“STAR”), today announced a unique airtime sales alliance between STAR and NDTV under which STAR will be the sole and exclusive representative of NDTV to conduct advertising sales for all NDTV news channels i.e. NDTV 24x7, NDTV India and NDTV Profit.

In what is a transformational initiative to strengthen the commercial value of NDTV news channels, STAR has for the first time taken the advertising sales responsibility of a major broadcasting group. In addition to frontline sales, STAR India will also be responsible for commercial back-office management like traffic, scheduling, billing and collections.

NDTV and Star will work together to ensure a smooth transition of these functions to STAR India and jointly collaborate towards achieving best-in-class monetization of India’s leading news network.

Commenting on this development, Uday Shankar, CEO, STAR said: “We are delighted with this tie-up with NDTV, which is one of the greatest media brands in the country. The combination of the NDTV news brand and STAR’s leadership should be able to unlock significant value for NDTV. The presence of NDTV news shall strengthen STAR’s sales bouquet and enable STAR to offer a comprehensive option to advertisers and agencies”

Dr Prannoy Roy, Chairman, NDTV said: "NDTV is very pleased to announce this close and important relationship with STAR. STAR, India's leading and most successful television network, has been a trusted partner in the past and NDTV looks forward to this new initiative which we are certain will be of mutual benefit. In many ways it's a perfect fit."

About STAR
STAR India, the leading media and entertainment company in India, has the highest reach among the country’s broadcasters, beaming to over 140 million people every week across India and over 65 countries across the globe. Its portfolio includes 33 channels in eight languages spanning the household brands STAR Plus, STAR One, STAR Gold, Channel [V], STAR Jalsha, STAR Pravah, STAR World, STAR Movies, STAR Utsav; along with the joint venture channels Asianet, Asianet Plus, STAR Vijay, Suvarna, STAR News, ESPN and STAR Sports. STAR India also manages a portfolio of business ventures including DTH operator Tata Sky; cable system Hathway, channel distributor STAR Den, news channel operator MCCS, the film production and distribution business Fox STAR Studios India and STAR CJ Home Shopping.

STAR India is a fully owned subsidiary of News Corporation www.newscorp.com

About NDTV
NDTV Ltd, founded in 1988, is India's largest news and infotainment network. It is home to the country's best and brightest reporters, anchors, camerapersons and producers; 23 offices and studios across the country host India's most modern and sophisticated production, newsgathering and archiving facilities. NDTV has an unmatched track record of successfully launching three news channels in India and two abroad: NDTV 24x7 is a clear leader in the English news segment. NDTV Profit, a 24-hour business plus channel and NDTV India are amongst the country's leading news channels in their respective genres. NDTV is credited with pioneering several award winning broadcasting and programming initiatives in Indian television and has captured people’s hearts and minds as India’s most credible news network. For more information visit www.ndtv.com