B4U (network) explained

Network Name:B4U
Network Logo:B4U Logo 2022.png
Broadcast Area:Worldwide
Network Type:Television Network
Available:International
Launch Date:1 September 1999 (United Kingdom)
3 September 2000 (India)
Founded:1999
Parent:Sony Picture Network India (India), Abercross Holdings Ltd.[1]

B4U is a television network focused on Bollywood based entertainment. The network operates the eight channels B4U Music, B4U Movies, B4U Kadak, B4U Bhojpuri, B4U Aflam, B4U Plus, 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] 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 Music1999HindiMusic
B4U Movies1999HindiMovies
B4U Kadak2019HindiMovies
B4U Bhojpuri2019BhojpuriMovies
B4U Hitz2024HindiMovies

International

!Channel!Launched!Language!Category
B4U Aflam2013ArabicMovies
B4U Plus2013Hindi, EnglishGEC/Movies

Defunct channels

!Channel!Launched!Closed!Language!Category
B4U TV20002001HindiGEC
Ashirwaad Classic20132015HindiMovies
Movie House20152019HindiMovies
Dhamaka Movies B4U20222024HindiMovies

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
1957Mother IndiaHindionly worked with Blu-ray in 2007
1997Bhaico-production with The Culture Company
2000DhadkanDistribution
2006Family - Ties of Bloodco-production with Excel Entertainment
Dil Apna PunjabiPunjabi
2007HattrickHindi
Life in a... Metro
2008The InfidelEnglishco-production with Slingshot Productions & Met Film Production
Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!Hindi
2009Dulha Mil Gaya
Dev.D
Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge
Agyaat
Aagey Se Right
2010Sukhmani - Hope for LifePunjabi
Mel Karade Rabba
Once Upon a Time in MumbaaiHindi
Peepli Live
2011Patiala House
Bbuddah... Hoga Terra Baap
2015Bin RoyeUrdu
Karachi se Lahore
2016Ghayal Once AgainHindi
JanaanUrdu
2017KaabilHindi
RangrezaUrdu
20183 StoreysHindi
Pataakha
Baazaar
2019Romeo Akbar Walter
Parey Hut Love
2021Vijay The MasterHindi (dubbed)
Chakra Ka Rakshak
2022AgentHindi (dubbed)
2023Mrs UndercoverHindi
2024Eagle (2024 film)Hindi(dubbed)Distributed along with UFO Moviez

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: B4U sells majority stake to Abercross Holdings for £20 million . CableQuest Magazine . 23 March 2020 . en-gb.
  2. Web site: B4U Television . B4U – Bollywood charms, global audience . B4utv.com . 2001-10-02 . 2012-08-06 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120807141354/http://www.b4utv.com/subs/about.shtml . 7 August 2012 .
  3. Web site: Screen Digest – UK's Asian channels fight for market share . https://web.archive.org/web/20121020122438/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55805588.html . dead . 2012-10-20 . 2012-08-06.
  4. http://www.indiantelevision.com/newsletter/150999/zee15999.htm The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter - ZEE TO LAUNCH TV WORLD
  5. News: Palan Barakrishnan . Tigers in a prize fight . Guardian. 2002-02-25. 2012-08-06 . London.
  6. Web site: The Indian Cab&Sat Reporter. 2021-09-01. www.indiantelevision.com.
  7. Web site: B4U strikes gold-n-silver at Promax & BDA Asia 2001 Awards . 7 December 2001 . Indiantelevision.com . 2012-08-06.
  8. Web site: B4U ties up with iDream; to be co-producer in all its films . indiantelevision.com . 2002-08-29 . 2012-08-06.
  9. Web site: B4U Network to celebrate Diwali in London . Indiantelevision.com . 2007-10-18 . 2012-08-06.