News Broadcasting
Miramax chiefs to buy Moore docu ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ from Disney
MUMBAI: Miramax chiefs Harvey and Bob Weinstein are preparing a deal to personally buy Michael Moore’s award winning documentary Fahrenheit 9/11.
Hollywood studio Miramax, a subsidiary of Disney, had funded the Bush-bashing documentary that won the prestigious Palme d’Or, the top prize at France’s Cannes film festival this year.
It is learnt that, Weinsteins would look for a distribution deal once the movie lands in their lap. Disney chief executive Michael Eisner had refused to distribute the movie sighting its politically sensitive treatment.
Now the latest developments saw Eisner giving a go-ahead to the Weinsteins to personally buy the movie and then look for distributors. Distribution rights for the film could go for $5 million to $10 million.
The documentary harshly criticizes US President George W Bush’s handling of the war in Iraq. Moore’s documentary Bowling for Columbine had won an Oscar two years ago.
Bowling For Columbine took in $22 million domestically at the box office, and $40 million worldwide. Overall, including DVD and pay TV sales, it brought in some $120 million. Analysts say the movie has got potential to match or surpass Bowling For Columbine’s business.
News Broadcasting
Mihir Bhatt appointed as chief content officer at News18 Studios
The media veteran brings two decades of experience across television, digital and radio to one of India’s biggest broadcast networks, Disney+ Hotstar, Discovery+
NEW DELHI: Network18 has a new strategist in the building. Mihir Bhatt, one of Indian media’s more versatile operators, has joined News18 Studios as chief content officer, stepping into a role that will see him shape content strategy, build multi-platform properties and drive brand partnerships across the network.
Bhatt brings more than two decades of experience spanning television, digital and radio, with a track record of doing something rare in Indian media: combining editorial ambition with hard commercial results. At Times Network, where he served as managing editor and chief business officer of Times Influence, he built one of the industry’s more respected content studios, launching marquee properties such as the India Economic Conclave, the Times Now Summit and Leaders of Tomorrow. He also pushed the network into premium OTT territory through tie-ups with Disney+ Hotstar and Discovery+.
His resume stretches well beyond the studio. Bhatt has led Global Investor Summits for multiple state governments, worked alongside the World Economic Forum and played a pivotal role in launching the Indian Pickleball League. Earlier, as editor of Zee Business, he pioneered investor education initiatives that are still cited as industry benchmarks.
At News18 Studios, Bhatt will report to chief executive S Shivakumar and will oversee the studios execution vertical alongside revenue verticals covering emerging markets and campaigns. Sidharth Saini, Hemanth Kumar and Nimar Sarkaria will work under him.
Rahul Joshi, managing director and editor-in-chief of Network18 Group, made the announcement in an internal communication. “Mihir’s ability to build enduring brands, foster strategic partnerships and navigate a rapidly evolving media landscape will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our position and explore new avenues of growth in the Studios business,” Joshi said.
In a media industry lurching between disruption and reinvention, Network18 has bet on a man who has spent two decades thriving in exactly that chaos. Whether he can do it again, at greater scale, is the question worth watching.
