E! Networks ties licensing deals ahead of launch

ASIA-PACIFIC: E! Networks has announced licensing deals in India and Japan as it expands its presence in the region. The entertainment channel has tied up with the Times of India to create branded programming blocks to air on Zoom Television. In addition, it has signed a deal with Jupiter Entertainment's Movie Plus, to deliver content to Japan. E! branded content on Zoom will include E! True Hollywood Story. Movie Plus, meanwhile, has licensed programming for the 2005 Academy Awards. "We eventually plan to launch a fully-branded, 24-hour E! channel in India, and the creation of an E!-branded programming block on Zoom is a first step to establishing and expanding the brand in this important territory," said E! Networks senior vice-president, international, Kevin MacLellan.