Indian Malayalam-language television channel
Television channel
Asianet is an Indian Malayalam language general entertainment pay television channel operated by Disney Star, a subsidiary of Disney India. It primarily telecasts programmes such as serials, reality shows and Malayalam films.
Asianet HD is the first High Definition (HD) television channel in Malayalam.[1]
History
Establishment
The channel was founded by Dr. Raji Menon in 1993.[2] In late 2006, Dr. Raji Menon partially pulled out of Asianet Communications, turning over control to Rajeev Chandrasekhar (Jupiter Entertainment Ventures).[2] Star India bought a 51% stake in Asianet Communications and formed a joint venture with JEV in November 2008.[3] In 2014, Star India took full ownership of Asianet Communications.[4]
Star India Acquisitions (2008–2014)
Asianet was restructured into four companies in June 2008 (general entertainment, news, radio and media infrastructure). This move was to allow separate investments in each company.[4] Star India started talks with the owners of the Asianet channels in August 2008.[3]
Star India eventually bought a 51% stake in Asianet Communications and formed a joint venture with JEV in November 2008.[5] The joint venture, called "Star Jupiter", comprised all general entertainment channels of Asianet 8 October 2013 Bombay 12 March Communications (Asianet, Asianet Plus, Asianet Suvarna and Asianet Sitara[6]) and Vijay TV. Star India had reportedly paid $235 million in cash for the 51% stake and assumed net debt of approximately $20 million.[4] It's not clear how much stake Dr. Raji Menon held in the new Star Jupiter venture. Prior to forming the JV, it was known that the original founder (Dr. Raji Menon) had held about 26% stake.[3]
Star India increased its stake in Asianet Communications to 75% in July 2010 (for which Star India paid around $90 million in cash), and to 87%, by acquiring 12% stake for $160 million in June, 2013. The later move was by virtue of acquiring a 19% equity stake in Vijay TV from Chandrasekhar and Asianet Communications MD Madhavan.[4] Following the June, 2013 investment, Asianet Communications was valued at $1.33 billion. Star India acquired 100% stake in Asianet Communications (buying the remaining 13% stake) in March 2014.[4][5]
The Walt Disney Company 21st Century Fox Acquisitions (2019–Present)
On 20 March 2019, following the acquisition of 21st Century Fox by The Walt Disney Company, its Indian subsidiary Star India, Star India-owned Asianet Communications and Star India's remaining subsidiaries became a subsidiary of Disney India.[7][8]
