HBO tipped to make Indian formats after Eros deal

HBO Asia and Indian movie producer and distributor Eros International have joined forces and will launch two channels together in India: HBO Defined and HBO Hits. Analysts said they expect the deal to clear the way for Indian versions of hit HBO shows.

Patrick Yau from finance house Peel Hunt noted: “As part of the deal, it has been alluded to that TV format rights relating to HBO Asia content will exploited on the channels. In the past, HBO has been highly successful in developing strong TV brands (such as The Sopranos, Sex And The City, The Wire, Entourage, Six Feet Under, Boardwalk Empire, Game of Thrones and True Blood). We anticipate Eros and HBO Asia will be seek to produce local versions of US hit shows.”

Yau added: “These would then be broadcast on the Eros/HBO Asia channels as well as syndicated to other channels.”

The advertising-free movie channels will be programmed with Hollywood and Bollywood features as well as HBO TV shows.

HBO Defined will have first-run movies and HBO Hits will be programmed with catalogue titles.

The partners said they will also develop original content for the channels.

The movie channels will have Indian features in a new premium window, meaning they are transmitted soon after their theatrical release and before any other channel, which is expected to form a major part of the service’s marketing.

Movies from Warner Bros. and Paramount will also be carried in a premium window on the channels.