Nine pulls plug in India as DD stays firm on contract

<p>NEW DELHI: Kerry Packer's Nine Broadcasting India is pulling the </p><p>plug in India after government broadcaster Doordarshan (DD) refused to </p><p>negotiate a long-term contract. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>In its negotiations, Nine offered to pay US$26 million for the </p><p>7pm-10pm slot on DD's Metro channel, brand the prime time slotwith </p><p>quality programming and upgrade DD's equipment. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Nine had expected the terms would allow the company to reap the benefits </p><p>of state patronage, ensuring that the channel would be carried </p><p>terrestrially as well as free-to-air on satellite to reach more than 33 </p><p>million homes across the nation. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Questions are now being asked about the future of Nine chief executive </p><p>officer, Ravina Kohli, who left Sony Entertainment TV to join Packer's </p><p>company. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>