>DoubleGrazing: /* Television Channels */ ditto

2021-06-18T16:03:12Z

Television Channels: ditto

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{{Lead too short|date=August 2019}}
{{short description|Indian television network}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2015}}
{{Infobox Network
| network_name = B4U
| network_logo =
| broadcast_area = Worldwide
| network_type = [[Television]]
| available = International
| key_people =
| launch_date = 1 September 1999 ([[United Kingdom]])<br>3 September 2000 ([[India]])
| motto =
| founder = Sunil Shetty
| parent = Abercross Holdings Ltd.<ref>{{cite web |title=B4U sells majority stake to Abercross Holdings for £20 million |url=http://cablequest.org/index.php/news/national-news/item/11364-b4u-sells-majority-stake-to-abercross-holdings-for-%C2%A320-million |website=CableQuest Magazine |accessdate=23 March 2020 |language=en-gb}}</ref>
| past_names =
| website = {{url|b4utv.com}}
}}

'''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]].<ref>{{cite web|author=B4U Television |url=http://www.b4utv.com/subs/about.shtml |title=B4U – Bollywood charms, global audience |publisher=B4utv.com |date=2001-10-02 |accessdate=2012-08-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807141354/http://www.b4utv.com/subs/about.shtml |archivedate=7 August 2012 }}</ref> 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.
[[File:B4umovies.jpg|thumb|B4U Movies logo|alt=]]
[[File:B4umusic.PNG|thumb|B4U Music logo|alt=]]

==Company history==

In 1999, the newly formed network launched B4U Movies and B4U Music in the UK on the [[Sky Digital (UK & Ireland)|Sky Digital]] platform as a subscription package along with [[Sony Entertainment Television Asia|Sony Entertainment Television]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55805588.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020122438/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55805588.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-20 |title=Screen Digest – UK's Asian channels fight for market share |publisher=Highbeam.com |accessdate=2012-08-06}}</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.indiantelevision.com/newsletter/150999/zee15999.htm The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter - ZEE TO LAUNCH TV WORLD] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041213192333/http://www.indiantelevision.com/newsletter/150999/zee15999.htm |date=13 December 2004 }}</ref> 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 [[Non-resident Indian and person of Indian origin|Indian Diaspora]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Palan Barakrishnan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/may/22/mondaymediasection.raceintheuk |title=Tigers in a prize fight |work=Guardian|date= 2002-02-25|accessdate=2012-08-06 |location=London}}</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.indiantelevision.com/newsletter/150999/zee15999.htm The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter – Zee to Launch TV World] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041213192333/http://www.indiantelevision.com/newsletter/150999/zee15999.htm |date=13 December 2004 }}</ref> 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 [[FashionTV|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.<ref>[http://www.indiantelevision.com/newsletter/170400/b4u170400.htm The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter – B4U Ties Up With FTV, To Launch Music Channel in India & Southern Channel Oversease] {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> The Network gained further international attention and acclaim after winning 9 [[Promax Awards]] in 2001.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k1/dec/dec22.htm |title=B4U strikes gold-n-silver at Promax & BDA Asia 2001 Awards |publisher=Indiantelevision.com |accessdate=2012-08-06}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k2/aug/aug165.htm |title=B4U ties up with iDream; to be co-producer in all its films |publisher=indiantelevision.com |date=2002-08-29 |accessdate=2012-08-06}}</ref> 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 Bhojpuri – [[Bhojpuri language]] Movie Channel in India
*B4U Aflam – [[Arabic|Arabic language]] Movie Channel in [[MENA|MENA region]]
*B4U Plus – Hindi Gec Entertainment channel for [[MENA|MENA region & also will launch in India]]

==B4U Today==
The network has a strong presence in Indian culture and is one of the 'Big Three' Indian television networks to operate worldwide{{Citation needed|date=June 2019}}. 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k7/oct/oct257.php |title=B4U Network to celebrate Diwali in London |publisher=Indiantelevision.com |date=2007-10-18 |accessdate=2012-08-06}}</ref>

==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 [[film|motion picture]] [[production company|production]] and [[Distribution (business)|distribution]] of B4U.

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

It first produced, [[Bhai (1997 film)|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 distributing 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]]''.

===List of B4U films===

===2021===
*''[[Master (2021 film)|Vijay The Master]]'' (Hindi distribution only)
*''[[Chakra (2021 film)|Chakra Ka Rakshak]]'' (Hindi distribution only)

====2019====
*''[[Romeo Akbar Walter]]''
*''[[Parey Hut Love]]''

====2018====
*''[[Baazaar]]''
*''[[Pataakha]]''
*''[[3 Storeys]]''

====2017====
*''[[Rangreza]]''<ref>https://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2017/10/07/rangreza-poster-finally-released-and-boy-it-looks-good/</ref>
*''[[Kaabil]]''

====2016====
*''[[Janaan]]''
*''[[Ghayal Once Again]]''

====2015====
*''[[Bin Roye]]''
*''[[Karachi se Lahore]]''

====2011====
*''[[Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap]]''
*''[[Patiala House (film)|Patiala House]]''

====2010====
*''[[Mel Karade Rabba]]''
*''[[Sukhmani - Hope for Life]]''
*''[[Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai]]''
*''[[Peepli Live]]''

====2009====
*''[[Dev.D]]''
*''[[Dulha Mil Gaya]]''
*''[[Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge]]''
*''[[Agyaat]]''
*''[[Aagey Se Right]]''

====2008====

*''[[The Infidel (2010 film)|The Infidel]]'' (co-production with Slingshot Productions & Met Film Production)
*''[[Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!]]''

====2007====

*''[[Life in a... Metro]]''
*''[[Hattrick (film)|Hattrick]]''

====2006====
*''[[Family - Ties of Blood]]'' (co-production with [[Excel Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.|Excel Entertainment]])
*''[[Dil Apna Punjabi]]''

====1997====
*''[[Bhai (1997 film)|Bhai]]'' (co-production with The Culture Company)

====1957====
*''[[Mother India]]'' (only worked with [[Blu-ray]] in 2007)

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://b4umovies.in B4U official site]
* [https://b4utv.com/corporate/ B4U group site]

{{DEFAULTSORT:B4u (Network)}}
[[Category:Foreign television channels broadcasting in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Television stations in India]]
[[Category:British Indian mass media]]
[[Category:Television channels and stations established in 1999]]
[[Category:Bollywood]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in the United Kingdom]]

B4U (network) - Revision history

>DoubleGrazing: /* Television Channels */ ditto