B4U (network)
B4U is a television network that focuses 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, currently available on over 8 different satellites, in over 100 countries in the Americas . Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia . [1] Additionally, the company operates B4U Motion Pictures, a media and entertainment production subsidiary.
 | |
| Type | Television Network |
|---|---|
| Country | |
| Availability | International |
| Founded | 1999 |
Broadcast area | Worldwide |
Launch date | 1 September 1999 (United Kingdom) 3 September 2000 (India) |
Official website | b4utv |
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 with Sony Entertainment Television . [2] The launch was surrounded by controversy, with rival network ZTE claiming that B4U had stolen its UK subscriber database. B4U management claimed that it obtained the database from former employees and used it to send out emails promoting its service. [3] In 2001, the network continued to launch channels in the United States, Canada and the Middle East by the end of the year.
By 2000, B4U had established itself as a leading Bollywood entertainment brand for Indian expatriates [4] . B4U has signed a deal with FTV to broadcast Indian fashion shows worldwide as well as more local events. In 2001, the network won 9 Promax Awards. [5] The network then entered film production in 2002, co-producing all films produced by iDream. [6]
Television channels
B4U Music
B4U Music is a free-to-air music television channel in India and internationally owned by B4U Network Limited . The channel broadcasts a mix of contemporary Bollywood, Indipop, Bhangra and World music. The programming includes celebrity interviews, artist profiles, concerts, chart-topping, and video request shows. The channel broadcasts a mix of contemporary Bollywood, Indipop, Bhangra, and world music. The programming includes celebrity interviews, artist profiles, concerts, chart-topping, and video request shows.
B4U Movies
B4U Movies is a free-to- air Hindi movie digital television channel based in Mumbai and available on over 8 different satellites in over 100 countries including the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Mauritius, Canada and India. The channel broadcasts a mix of classic and contemporary Indian films.
B4U Aflam
B4U Aflam is an Arabic TV channel for Indian movies dubbed and translated into Arabic and Arabic series and broadcasts in the Middle East. The channel was launched in 2013 and stopped in 2023.
B4U Plus
B4U Plus, formerly known as Abu Dhabi Plus and before that Plus TV, is an English entertainment television channel for Indian films and Pakistani serials in the Middle East and the United Kingdom. In the UK the channel was launched on 12 August 2013 for B4U and Sky Network and in the UAE the channel was launched on 25 September 2015 at 3am UAE time for B4U and Abu Dhabi Media Network .
Currently broadcasting channels
Indian
| channel | It started | language | category |
|---|---|---|---|
| B4U Music | 1999 | Indian | music |
| B4U Movies | 1999 | Indian | films |
| B4U Kadak | 2019 | Indian | films |
| B4U Bhojpuri | 2019 | Bhojpuri | films |
| B4U Hitz | 2024 | Indian | films |
International
| channel | It started | language | category |
|---|---|---|---|
| B4U Aflam | 2013 | Arabic | films |
| B4U Plus | 2015 | Hindi and English | Movies & GEC |
Channels that have been closed
| channel | It started | Closed | language | category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B4U TV | 2000 | 2001 | Indian | GEC |
| Asherwad Classic | 2013 | 2015 | Indian | films |
| Movie House | 2015 | 2019 | Indian | films |
| Dhamaka Movies B4U | 2022 | 2024 | Indian | films |
| B4U Aflam | 2013 | 2023 | Arabic | films |
| B4U Eldjazairia | 2001 | 2024 | Arabic and English | entertainment |
| B4U Eldjazairia 2 | 2017 | 2024 | Arabic | entertainment |
B4U today
The network was the media sponsor of the 2007 Diwali Festival in London at Trafalgar Square. [7]
B4U Films
B4U Films (also known as B4U Productions Plc.) is a wholly owned subsidiary of B4U TV Ltd. (B4U), a Mumbai-based media and entertainment production company. The company started in 1997, and produces and distributes B4U animation.
B4U Films produces films in Bollywood as well as in Punjab, collaborating with other leading film studios. They also distribute Lollywood movies.
She first produced Bhai, which starred Sunil Shetty, Kader Khan and Kunal Khemu. In 2015 they started distributing Pakistani movies through Karachi C Lahore Distribution all over the world. The latest film they distributed was the Pakistani romantic comedy film starring Mahira Khan 7 Din Mohabbat N.
References
- ↑ "بي فور يو". ويكيبيديا (in العربية). 2024-06-04.
- ↑ "UK's Asian channels fight for market share. - Screen Digest | HighBeam Research". web.archive.org. 2012-10-20. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ↑ "ZEE TO LAUNCH TV WORLD". web.archive.org. 2004-12-13. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ↑ Barakrishnan, Palan (2000-05-22). "Tigers in a prize fight" (in en-GB). The Guardian. . https://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/may/22/mondaymediasection.raceintheuk. Retrieved 2024-10-09.
- ↑ "B4U strikes gold-n-silver at Promax & BDA Asia 2001 Awards".
- ↑ "B4U ties up with iDream; to be co-producer in all its films".
- ↑ "B4U Network to celebrate Diwali in London".