STAR PLUS to launch in Mauritius, Reunion, Malagasy, Madagascar and Mayotte

India’s No. 1 channel to be the first Hindi channel on Parabole Reunion DTH Platform

STAR, Asia’s leading media and entertainment company, today announced a distribution deal with Mauritius based DTH operator Parabole Reunion to launch STAR PLUS, India’s No. 1 General Entertainment (GE) channel in Mauritius, Reunion, Malagasy, Madagascar and Mayotte.  The launch, which marks STAR’s first Indian Ocean distribution deal, is scheduled for May 25th.  STAR PLUS is the first and only Hindi channel offered on the platform.

STAR PLUS has been the No.1 Hindi GE channel for nine consecutive years. Offering a variety of programs, the channel’s lineup includes dramas, comedies, reality shows, game shows, historical and mythological epics as well as Bollywood events and blockbuster movies.
“We’re thrilled to bring India’s favorite channel to Parabole Reunion subscribers through our first ever Indian Ocean distribution deal,” said Sumantra Dutta, STAR’s Country Head – Middle East, Africa & Pakistan. “I’m confident that STAR PLUS will excite viewers in the region with India’s most popular dramas, reality shows and special events. Looking ahead, we look forward to working more closely with Parabole Reunion to bring subscribers even more television choice from our highly rated bouquet of South Asian channels.”

Michel Juanico, General Director of PARABOLE GROUP in the Indian Ocean said, “Our mission is to offer the best channels on our platform.  STAR PLUS is the No. 1 General Entertainment channel in India. We are very happy to welcome STAR PLUS on PARABOLE. One more time, we respect our mission: offer the best to our subscribers.”

Currently the primetime dramas Sapna Babul Ka… Bidaai and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai on STAR PLUS rank as the top two shows on Indian cable television. Other top-rating soaps are Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat, about a palace servant who marries her Prince charming, Tujh Sang Preet Lagayi Sajna, which details a feud between two warring families, and Kis Desh Mein Hai Mera Dil, a tale about star-crossed lovers.

Other highlights on STAR PLUS include the suspense thriller Chehra and the weekday comedies Bure Bhi Hum Bhale Bhi Hum and Sabki Laadli Bebo.

Innovative reality shows making their way back for brand new seasons on STAR PLUS include Star Voice of India, a nationwide talent search for the best singer in India, the ever-popular Nach Baliye which features celebrity couples fighting to be crowned India’s best dancers and Aap Ki Kachehri, which allows people involved in small-claims disputes to have their cases heard before Kiran Bedi, India’s former Director General of Police.

Of course no Indian channel would be complete without an element of Bollywood glamour. As well as showcasing Hindi blockbuster movies every week, STAR PLUS is also the exclusive media partner for major Bollywood events such as the IIFA Awards and the STAR Screen Awards.

STAR PLUS will be available to viewers on an a-la-carte basis or as part of an existing bundle.  For more information, viewers can call + 230 403 22 22.

About STAR
STAR is a leading media and entertainment company in Asia. STAR broadcasts over 60 television services in 13 languages to more than 300 million viewers across 53 Asian countries. STAR and its joint venture channels cover all genres including general entertainment (Star Plus, Xing Kong, Star Chinese Channel, Star World, Star One, Star Utsav, Star Jalsha, Star Pravah, Vijay, Asianet, Asianet Plus, Sitara, Suvarna, antv, Phoenix Chinese Channel), sports (ESPN, Star Sports, Star Cricket), movies (Star Chinese Movies, Star Chinese Movies 2, Star Gold, Star Movies), music (Channel [V]), and news and current affairs (Star News, Star Ananda, Star Majha, Phoenix InfoNews Channel).

STAR controls over 20,000 hours of Indian and Chinese programming and also owns the world’s largest contemporary Chinese film library, with more than 600 titles, featuring superstars including Jackie Chan, Chow Yun Fat and Bruce Lee. In partnership with leading companies, STAR businesses extend to filmed entertainment, television production, cable systems and distribution, direct-to-home services, terrestrial TV broadcasting, wireless and digital services. STAR is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation. www.startv.com

About PARABOLE GROUP:
Launched in November 1998, PARABOLE GROUP offers DTH services with French and English channels edited by well-known groups such as in France : TF1, M6, Canal+, AB, in South Africa : DSTV Group, and now STAR.

After 10 years’ activity, PARABOLE GROUP is a dynamic company with more than 190 employees in the Indian Ocean, and in Paris which is the high tech area of Parabole.
9 channels at the beginning of the company broadcasted on the satellite W2 and now 70 French channels and services and also 60 English Channels.

PARABOLE GROUP presents approx 90 000 subscribers, 300 000 viewers per day.

PARABOLE is now one of the TOP 50 companies of Reunion Island and one of the TOP 100 companies in the Indian Ocean.

For further information, please contact:

STAR
Alister Baptista, Email: alisterb@ae.startv.com

GROUPE PARABOLE
Marie-Annick Mignot; Email: ma.mongelard@parabolereunion.com
Jimmy Hope;  Email:  jimmy.hope@parabolemaurice.com