Eros launches first official Bollywood channel on YouTube

Mumbai, May 22 (UNI) Eros International, the integrated media company within the Indian entertainment sector, announced that it has launched an official channel on YouTube.

The Eros channel can be accessed at www.youtube.com/erosentertainment, a release issued here said.

Movie trailers, music videos and other exclusive footage from Eros International's rich catalogue of 1300 films are now available to YouTube users around the world. This is the first partnership between YouTube and a major content owner from the Indian film industry.

The new channel will be featured in YouTube's 'Partner Channels' section and will feature film trailers from recent and upcoming movies including Aishwarya Rai's Provoked, Namastey London and Cheeni Kum. Additional footage from exclusive film premieres and star interviews will be showcased on the channel.

The deal will allow Eros to monetise the channel from a share of advertising revenues generated by YouTube.

Eros International Chairman&CEO Kishore Lulla said in a statement, ''The partnership with YouTube allows us to not only promote our content but also monetise it through advertising revenues. Legal online distribution of compelling content is an integral part of our new media strategy.'' As previously announced, Eros also recently concluded a deal with OnCommand Video Corporation (www.oncommand.com) which is a leading provider of in-room entertainment technology to the lodging and cruise ship industries to supply its current and catalogue films for video-on-demand access within hotel chains across USA. On Command is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation.

Eros International is actively pursuing the digital distribution business. Eros Music audio titles are already available on iTunes and Real Rhapsody. Eros also has strategic distribution deals in place with Comcast, Intel Viiv, Mauj Telecom, Rogers Cable, Movielink, Tiscally Homechoice and RTL Holland, the release added.

UNI