TVN Launches Bollywood VOD Channel

TVN Entertainment will offer South Asian digital content to its affiliates as part of a five-year deal reached with BODVOD Networks.

The Bollywood-based suite of content, marketed to consumers under the Saavn brand, will include an a la carte movie package featuring video-on-demand titles released day and date with their worldwide theatrical premieres; a subscription movies-on-demand service that offers both new release and classic Bollywood films; a subscription music-on-demand service comprised of videos pulled from Saavn’s library of 10,000 titles; and a subscription TV service with shows from the top networks in India, in all major genres. 

TVN will provide industry sales, licensing and distribution services for BODVOD Networks.  In addition to programming, BODVOD Networks will provide its expertise in the South Asian market via a broad array of multicultural marketing strategies in partnership with TVN, including cross-channel spots, timely print and grass-roots campaigns, partnership with major corporate brands and online social networking initiatives.

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.