Zee rolls back DTH, other plans
Mumbai: There are reports to suggest that Zee
Telefilms is rolling back plans and investments, including pulling out of the digital
direct-to-home satellite project it had announced, in alliance with Sterling Infotech.
Zee has cited the confusing
and rigid regulations related to DTH as well as the high entry fee of a bank guarantee of
Rs 10 crore and an annual license fee of 10 per cent of DTH revenues as the rationale for
its about-turn.
Zee is believed to have also postponed the
launch of its lifestyle channel, 'Chakra', scheduled for launch this May, after cutbacks
on investments. ZTL had also cut back on investment plans in Siticable by about Rs 350
crores.
The Chakra was designed as an international
product aimed at both the Indian diaspora as well as foreign viewers interested in
Indias rich civilisation, and a number of producers had been commissioned for
programmes on a variety of subjects ranging from organic farming to ancient Indian
culture. Of recent, no new programmes were commissioned.
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RCI
to be travel service window
Mumbai: Resort Condominiums International,
the US-based timeshare exchange company, is setting up a travel company in India, RCI
Travels India, to set up call centres and provide travel related services.
The idea is to become a single window service provider for all travel related services,
including flight ticketing, hotel booking, car hire, etc.
Globally, RCI services its members
through travel clubs, but it is only in India that it is entering travel services, and is
also throwing open its services to members as well as non-members.
In India, RCI affiliates include Club
Mahindra Resorts, Usha Shriram Group, Jaypee Group, Kamat Group and Radisson Group.
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Dolphin
to expand on cut-price wagon
Mumbai: MTNLs cellular service Dolphin has chalked out an ambitious expansion
plan including unleashing cut price pre and post paid cards, firming up a 250 strong
franchisee network, and extending coverage to new segments.
Indications are that the pre-paid cards could be available at denominations of Rs 300-350
with a validity period of 45 days, and a grace period of 15 days for refill. Both the pre
and post paid cards are slated for launch in June.
The post-paid cards are likely to come in Dolphin 500, Dolphin 1000, Dolphin 2000
variants, with a rental at 20 per cent lower than the prevailing rate, and administrative
charges at half the prevailing 15 per cent.
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Mahindras
portal to set up used-car dealerships
Mumbai: Automobile major Mahindra &
Mahindra is planning to enter the 1.2 million vehicle second hand car market. Its auto
portal, Automartindia, will open the largest dealer network for used cars.
Currently, only Ford Assured of Ford
India has a multi-outlet second hand dealer network, while Daewoo Motor India too is said
to be planning an entry.
Automart, with 57 per cent stake by
Mahindras, 22 per cent by HDFC, 11 per cent by Sah and Sanghi and the rest 10 per cent
with employees, plans to open a chain of 48 dealers across the country by 2003.
The second hand car dealer network will give
a physical prsence to the Automartindia portal, the company believes. It will have a mix
of its own and franchisee outlets. The initial investment is to the order of Rs 25 crores.
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Motorol
introduces lubricants in sachets
Ahmedabad: Motorol Speciality Oils Ltd has
launched a two-stroke motorcycle and scooter lubricant in a 40-ml sachets. It also plans
to sell them at departmental stores.
The new product, named Insta 2T, has been
priced at Rs 4 per sachet and expects to find demand for one crore sachets a month. The
company believes that the Indian consumer will follow the trend in the west, where
consumers buy lubricants at departmental stores rather than an auto and spare parts shops.
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