Saavn

Infobox Company
company_name = Saavn, LLC
company_
company_slogan = N/A
company_type = LLC
foundation = 2006
location = flagicon|USA New York, NY, U.S. [cite web |url=http://www.212media.com/ |title=212Media]
industry = Media
homepage = [http://www.saavn.com/ http://www.saavn.com]

Saavn, LLC (South Asian Audio Visual Network) is the premier, and virtually exclusive, provider of South Asian content to emerging digital distribution platforms and is the largest digital distributor of South Asian content in the world. The company acquires, packages, distributes and promotes South Asian content including “Bollywood” movies, music and television shows on digital “on-demand” platforms on cable systems, Internet Protocol delivered services and Mobile carrier and device platforms. Saavn also controls an online music community at [http://www.saavn.com Saavn.com] . Saavn partners with well-known media giants such as iTunes, Amazon, YouTube, Verizon Wireless, Time Warner Cable, and many others. [ [http://www.saavn.com/about About Us] Saavn.com]

History

On March 23, 2007, BODVOD Networks (BODVOD) signed an exclusive 50/50 Joint Venture (the “Joint Venture”) with Virtual Marketing India Limited (VMIL) based in Mumbai, India to create the largest digital distributor of South Asian content in the world.

[212] MEDIA, a leading programmer of South Asian content, and Schramm Sports & Entertainment, a leading distributor and marketer of multicultural programming to the North American cable and satellite industries, established BODVOD Networks in 2004. BODVOD Networks is based in New York, NY. [ [http://www0.gsb.columbia.edu/students/organizations/saba/ibc/speakers.html#vbhat India Business Conference 2008, Columbia Business School] ]

VMIL is a leading multi-platform distributor of South Asian content with a strong track record of success. VMIL has exclusive global rights to an estimated 75% share of full-length Bollywood audio tracks, mobile ringtones, mobile ring back tones and mobile wallpapers. VMIL has successfully secured distribution for South Asian content on 52 wireless carriers in 20 countries across the world. In India, for example, VMIL operates Hungama Mobile which generates in excess of 2.0 million downloads per day.

VMIL also owns and operates two successful online media properties in India, Hungama.com and IndiaFM.com. With a registered user base of 2.0 million, Hungama.com is South Asia’s, #1 entertainment website. IndiaFM.com is the #1 Bollywood site in the world with over 200,000 unique visitors every day. IndiaFM.com has 6.0 Million visitors every month with 70% of current traffic generated internationally. IndiaFM.com provides users with broadband connectivity to the latest trailers, wall papers, gossip, real reviews and previews to Bollywood movies. [ [http://www.afaqs.com/perl/jobs/companydetail.html?id=822 Virtual Marketing India Pvt Ltd. (Hungama.com) afaqs!] ]

Website

As a free site, [http://www.saavn.com Saavn.com] also serves as a front end for Saavn’s distribution network, by providing users opportunities to sign up for subscription cable VOD service, purchase songs on services such as iTunes, or get access to mobile content including ringtones, ringback tones, and wallpapers.

The website is an online music community that gives you instant access to the latest Bollywood music and videos. With an exclusive Saavn player, users can add, delete items from playlists, load playlists that contain both audio and video content, and sort playlists to play video only, audio only, or both. The user can also embed this video player on an external website or blog, giving the user instant streaming of Bollywood video and audio.

Saavn.com features a large library of over 200,000 songs, films, and albums to browse through. There is a click-to-buy option from iTunes for all music tracks. Users can rate songs and films, comment on celebrities, and comment on each other's profiles. Registration is not required to browse, listen, and watch audio and video clips. The user does need to register to create a profile, comment on and rate celebrities, and create and share playlists.

Distribution Channels

Online

Saavn offers Bollywood music through many of its media partners, such as Amazon, eMusic, Rhapsody, and much more.

One of its major partners is Apple's iTunes. Many of the latest Bollywood albums and songs are available on iTunes, and the company website has click-to-buy links to the iTunes music store to download content.

The company also recently partnered with Joost to stream Hindi films, TV shows, and music videos. [ [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117966080.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 "Joost boosts Bollywood fare" "Variety"] 31, May 2007.]

Videos are also accessible on the Saavn channel on YouTube.

Cable Video On Demand

According to its website, Saavn also brings Bollywood to many local cable operators, such as Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, COX Communications, RCN, Verizon Fios, and Rogers Communications. [ [http://www.saavn.com/cable Cable] Saavn.com]

In 2008, RCN will add two new Bollywood packages to its comprehensive video on demand selection. Saavn delivers music videos and movies to over one million RCN customer connections in areas such as Boston, New York and other metropolitan areas. [ [http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/News_By_Industry/Media__Entertainment_/Entertainment/US_firm_promises_more_Bollywood_fare_in_2008/articleshow/2642564.cms "US firm promises more Bollywood fare in 2008," "The Economic Times"] 22, Dec. 2007.]

Mobile

Saavn has partnered with Verizon Wireless to offer Bollywood music on Verizon Wireless' V Cast Video service. Verizon Wireless customers can access the latest ringtones, songs, music videos, and music promos on the Bollywood Music by Saavn channel. [ [http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=36582 "Saavn Brings Bollywood Ringtones And Ringback Tones To Verizon Wireless And Bollywood Music Videos, TV Shows and Movies to Verizon FiOS TV", top-40 charts] 7, Nov. 2007.] Ringtones and wallpapers are also available for AT&T customers. The company also plans to bring ringtones and other content to other mobile services such as T-Mobile, Sprint, and Rogers Wireless.

References

External links

* [http://www.saavn.com Saavn - Social networking site for Bollywood music and movies]
* [http://www.bollypoptv.com Bollypop – World’s first online Bollywood dance competition]