Date:16/03/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/03/16/stories/2004031601970500.htm

Back Disney upbeat on India, plans to launch channel

Our Bureau

(From left) Film star Ms Priety Zinta, lighting the lamp, with Ms Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sports of UK, and Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad, the Minister for Information & Broadcasting, at the inaugural session of the Frames 2004 held in Mumbai. - Paul Noronha

Mumbai , March 15

MR Andy Bird, President, Walt Disney International, held a meeting with Mr Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, and evinced an interest in investing in the Indian entertainment sector.

In his discussions with Mr Prasad, Mr Bird informed him that Walt Disney was considering the possibility of launching a Disney channel.

Mr Bird, who is slated to present the key note address on the second day of FICCI-Frames 2004, also said he would be meeting leading players in the animation sector during the three-day conference.

Mr Bird's invitation to FICCI-Frames also points to the fact that the conference is laying a much greater emphasis on animation this time around.

He pointed to the fact that the last two years have been crucial for the Indian entertainment sector and he sees promise for investment in this sector.

The meeting also included a discussion on the possibility of collaborative arrangements in programming with Akashwani.