NO DISNEY TIEUP AS YET, SAYS MODI ENTERTAINMENT

The Modi Entertainment Group has denied a Variety report that Disney is thinking of entering into a $25 million venture with DTH wannabe SterlingSat's C. Sivasankaran to launch a cable TV-delivered channel for the Indian market. "Every one is talking to everyone," said a Modi spokesperson. "We are already partners with Disney for a couple of other ventures. We would be the first to know if such a step were to be taken."

In all likelihood, Sivasankaran has approached Disney for carriage on the DTH platform he is planning for the Indian market.

MULTIMEDIA FIRM TO SET UP BROADBAND NETWORK

Consumer electronics and telecom biggie BPL is planning to set up a 2,000 km long broadband telecom network along the railway tracks between Mumbai and Chennai. The company has signed a memorandum of understanding with public sector firm RITES for this purpose. The two will create a joint venture company, which will implement the fibre optic network based on synchronous digital hierarchical technology. BPL says users of the network will range from Internet service providers to datacom users to long-distance telecom companies. The company has given no details of investment or rollout timeframe for the project. The government recently allowed companies to use the existing backbone network of both public and private utilities for data transmission as part of its new telecom policy.

COMPUTER EDUCATION CHANNEL PLANNED

Two computer firms, Delhi-based SRG Infotech and Mumbai-based BITS, have tied up to launch a satellite television channel to impart computer education. The two firms have also announced that they will introduce a virtual university and develop qualitative computer education material.

ANOTHER MUSIC CHANNEL GETS GOING

An interactive cable TV music service branded Channel Oxygen has been introduced in Mumbai and Pune. Cable TV subscribers can dial in to their network and request the music video of their choice. The service is available with a claimed 10 cable operators in Mumbai. Its promoters intend to extend it to other cities such as New Delhi, Bangalore, and Calcutta by end May and to Lucknow and Ahmedabad after that.

STAR TV TO DEVELOP NEWS WEBSITE

News Television India has announced that it will offer news and current affairs updates on-line to Internet users. A new website is being developed which will work in tandem with its Indian Star News television channel. Star TV already has a site which features program schedules and information about the network's India operations.