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B4U is a television network focused on Bollywood based entertainment. The network operates the seven channels B4U Movies, B4U Music, 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.[4] In addition, the company operates B4U Motion Pictures, which is a media and entertainment production subsidiary.
B4U (Bollywood For You) was created in a joint venture between steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, cinema executive (and Eros International owner) Kishore Lulla, and Gokul Binani.[5] Eros International was the largest distributor of Hindi films globally and they promoted the launch of B4U Movies which would also broadcast new movies a few months after theatrical release.[6] Ravi Gupta was the first CEO of B4U Television Network from 1999 to 2003.[7]
The network began with the August 1999 launch of B4U Movies digital TV channel in the UK on the Sky Digital platform as a subscription package along with Sony Entertainment Television.[8][9] 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.[10] Within six months the channel also launched on TV platforms in the US, Canada, European and Middle Eastern countries.[11] After B4U Movies, B4U launched a second channel dedicated to music called B4U Music in 2000.[12]
B4U signed a deal with FTV to broadcast Indian fashion shows throughout the world as well as more local events.[13] In 2001, the network won 9 Promax Awards.[14] The network then ventured into movie production in 2002, co-producing all films produced by iDream.[15]
The Zee Network announced in 2001 that is bought a stake in B4U Television Network.[16]
In 2012, Eros International announced it planned to buy 76% of B4U Television Network.[18] In 2017, Abercross Holdings (a British company led by cricketer Alex Loudon and Issam Hamid) announced it bought a majority and controlling stake in B4U Television Network.[19]
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 pictureproduction 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.
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