B4U (network)
 | |
| Type | Television Network |
|---|---|
| Availability | International |
| Founded | 1999 |
Broadcast area | Worldwide |
| Parent | Sony Picture Network India (India), Abercross Holdings Ltd.[1] |
Launch date | 1 September 1999 (United Kingdom) 3 September 2000 (India) |
Official website | b4utv |
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 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
- ^ "B4U sells majority stake to Abercross Holdings for £20 million". CableQuest Magazine. Retrieved 23 March 2020.
- ^ 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) - ^ "Screen Digest – UK's Asian channels fight for market share". Archived from the original on 20 October 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ^ The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter - ZEE TO LAUNCH TV WORLD Archived 13 December 2004 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Palan Barakrishnan (25 February 2002). "Tigers in a prize fight". Guardian. London. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ^ "The Indian Cab&Sat Reporter". www.indiantelevision.com. Retrieved 1 September 2021.
- ^ "B4U strikes gold-n-silver at Promax & BDA Asia 2001 Awards". Indiantelevision.com. 7 December 2001. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ^ "B4U ties up with iDream; to be co-producer in all its films". indiantelevision.com. 29 August 2002. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
- ^ "B4U Network to celebrate Diwali in London". Indiantelevision.com. 18 October 2007. Retrieved 6 August 2012.