Reliance Broadcast plans 50 new song-and-dance shows

Reliance Broadcast Network, the multi-media entity that is part of the Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group, plans to host some 50 patented shows and events across languages over the next year for a bigger slice in the Rs1,600 crore ($350 million) market.

Called intellectual property business in industry jargon, these shows and programmes span music awards, talent hunts and realty shows, often televised, that have become a big hit over the past few years in the growing Indian entertainment space.

An increased focus has been given to its IP vertical (a part of BIG Live, the company's experiential marketing arm) beginning last quarter which could drive growth in this business 50-75 per cent year-on-year.

''There is a huge potential in the intellectual property industry and we are optimistic of the returns it can give us using our captive media assets in out-of-home, radio and digital space,'' said Arjun Singh Baran, head of this unit with BIG Live.

''This line of our business will also enable us to build brands out of these properties, creating greater value for advertisers, while providing a great entertainment platform for audiences,'' Baran added. ''These will be developed, created and owned by the company.''

According to industry analysts, the intellectual property business should grow at around 60-80 per cent year-on-year in India, with the potential for some shows to garner as much as Rs4-5 crore (around $1 million) each.