PTI
New Delhi: INX Media, a division of INX Network, which launched its music channel 9XM around six months back, has strong intention to roll it out in overseas markets by 2010.
The company would also roll out merchandise featuring the popular animated characters on the music channel, namely Bheegi Billi, Bade and Chote and the Betel Nuts.
“Our channel is inspired by Bollywood and follows the Indian film industry closely. If we are successful in the Indian markets, there is no reason why we should not be present ourselves outside of India,” INX Media head of Music Entertainment channels Vikas Varma told PTI. He said, the channel could be rolled out in any country around the world where Bollywood was popular.
Asked about when and where the channel would be launched, Varma did not specify the tentative countries but said, “It would take two to three years and that they would go wherever Shah Rukh Khan had a presence.
The company is also holding talks with big retailers for launching merchandise inspired by the characters on the channel, which would be followed by gaming and mobile applications within this year.
“Now we are planning to move up in a big way. After the channel launch, merchandizing would be the next step. I would love to see people wearing a T-shirt with ‘bakwas band kar´ characters,” Varma said.
INX Media is also working on rolling out regional music channels this year. “Three regional music channels will be launched this year. We are yet to finalize the languages,” he added. The company would launch 11 new channels in the news and entertainment space by 2010.
The network, which already has -9X, general entertainment channel; Hindi music channel, 9XM and NewsX, English news channel in its kitty will roll out three metro news channels in 2009-10, covering city-specific events and happenings.