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B4U (network)

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B4U
TypeTelevision Network
AvailabilityInternational
Founded1999
Broadcast area
Worldwide
ParentSony Picture Network India (India), Abercross Holdings Ltd.[1]
Launch date
1 September 1999 (United Kingdom)
3 September 2000 (India)
Official website
b4utv.com

B4U is a television network focused on Bollywood based entertainment. The network operates the seven channels B4U Music, B4U Movies, B4U Kadak, B4U Bhojpuri, B4U Aflam, B4U Plus and B4U Hitz 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.[2] In addition, the company operates B4U Motion Pictures, which is a media and entertainment production subsidiary.

Company history

In 1999, the newly formed network launched B4U Movies and B4U Music in the UK on the Sky Digital platform as a subscription package along with Sony Entertainment Television.[3] The launch was surrounded by 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 have been using it to send mailers promoting its service.[4] 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 Indian Diaspora.[5][verification needed] B4U signed a deal with FTV to broadcast Indian fashion shows throughout the world as well as more local events.[6] In 2001, the network won 9 Promax Awards.[7] The network then ventured into movie production in 2002, co-producing all films produced by iDream.[8]

Television channels

Current channels

India

Channel Launched Language Category
B4U Music 1999 Hindi Music
B4U Movies 1999 Hindi Movies
B4U Kadak 2019 Hindi Movies
B4U Bhojpuri 2019 Bhojpuri Movies
B4U Hitz 2024 Hindi Movies

International

Channel Launched Language Category
B4U Aflam 2013 Arabic Movies
B4U Plus (2000 Abu Dhabi Plus & Plus TV) 2015 Hindi, English GEC/Movies

Defunct channels

Channel Launched Closed Language Category
B4U TV 2000 2001 Hindi GEC
Ashirwaad Classic 2013 2015 Hindi Movies
Movie House 2015 2019 Hindi Movies
Dhamaka Movies B4U 2022 2024 Hindi Movies
B4U Aflam 2013 2023 Arabic Movies
B4U Eldjazairia 2001 2024 Arabic, English GEC
B4U Eldjazairia 2 2017 2024 Arabic GEC

B4U Today

The network was the media sponsor Mayor of London's 2007 Diwali Festival in Trafalgar Square.[9]

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 motion picture production and distribution of B4U.

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

It first produced Bhai, which starred Suniel Shetty, Kader Khan and Kunal Khemu. 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

Year Film Language Notes
1957 Mother India Hindi only worked with Blu-ray in 2007
1997 Bhai co-production with The Culture Company
2000 Dhadkan Distribution
2006 Family - Ties of Blood co-production with Excel Entertainment
Dil Apna Punjabi Punjabi
2007 Hattrick Hindi
Life in a... Metro
2008 The Infidel English co-production with Slingshot Productions & Met Film Production
Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! Hindi
2009 Dulha Mil Gaya
Dev.D
Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge
Agyaat
Aagey Se Right
2010 Sukhmani - Hope for Life Punjabi
Mel Karade Rabba
Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai Hindi
Peepli Live
2011 Patiala House
Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap
2015 Bin Roye Urdu
Karachi se Lahore
2016 Ghayal Once Again Hindi
Janaan Urdu
2017 Kaabil Hindi
Rangreza Urdu
2018 3 Storeys Hindi
Pataakha
Baazaar
2019 Romeo Akbar Walter
Parey Hut Love
2021 Vijay The Master Hindi (dubbed)
Chakra Ka Rakshak
2022 Agent Hindi (dubbed)
2023 Mrs Undercover Hindi
2024 Eagle (2024 film) Hindi

(dubbed)

Distributed along with UFO Moviez

References

  1. ^ "B4U sells majority stake to Abercross Holdings for £20 million". CableQuest Magazine. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
  2. ^ B4U Television (2 October 2001). "B4U – Bollywood charms, global audience". B4utv.com. Archived from the original on 7 August 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  3. ^ "Screen Digest – UK's Asian channels fight for market share". Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  4. ^ The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter - ZEE TO LAUNCH TV WORLD Archived 13 December 2004 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ Palan Barakrishnan (25 February 2002). "Tigers in a prize fight". Guardian. London. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  6. ^ "The Indian Cab&Sat Reporter". www.indiantelevision.com. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
  7. ^ "B4U strikes gold-n-silver at Promax & BDA Asia 2001 Awards". Indiantelevision.com. 7 December 2001. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  8. ^ "B4U ties up with iDream; to be co-producer in all its films". indiantelevision.com. 29 August 2002. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  9. ^ "B4U Network to celebrate Diwali in London". Indiantelevision.com. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2012.