B4U (network)

{{Infobox Network

| network_name = B4U

| network_logo =

| broadcast_area = Worldwide

| network_type = Television Network

| available = International

| key_people =

| launch_date = 1 September 1999 (United Kingdom)
3 September 2000 (India)
2001 (USA/Canada/MENA)

| motto =

| founded = 1999

| founder =

| parent = Sony Picture Network India (India), Abercross Holdings Ltd.{{cite web |title=B4U sells majority stake to Abercross Holdings for £20 million |url=http://cablequest.org/index.php/news/national-news/item/11364-b4u-sells-majority-stake-to-abercross-holdings-for-%C2%A320-million |website=CableQuest Magazine |accessdate=23 March 2020 |language=en-gb}}

| past_names =

| website = {{url|b4utv.com}}

| logo = B4U Logo 2022.png

| name =

}}

B4U is a television network focused on Bollywood based entertainment. The network operates the seven channels B4U Music, B4U Movies, B4U Kadak, B4U Bhojpuri, B4U Aflam, B4U Plus and B4U Hitz which are at present available on more than 8 different satellites, in more than 100 countries in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Asia.{{cite web|author=B4U Television |url=http://www.b4utv.com/subs/about.shtml |title=B4U – Bollywood charms, global audience |publisher=B4utv.com |date=2001-10-02 |accessdate=2012-08-06 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120807141354/http://www.b4utv.com/subs/about.shtml |archivedate=7 August 2012 }} In addition, the company operates B4U Motion Pictures, which is a media and entertainment production subsidiary.

Company history

In 1999, the newly formed network launched B4U Movies and B4U Music in the UK on the Sky Digital platform as a subscription package along with Sony Entertainment Television.{{cite web|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55805588.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020122438/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55805588.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-20 |title=Screen Digest – UK's Asian channels fight for market share |accessdate=2012-08-06}}{{cite news|author=Palan Barakrishnan |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2000/may/22/mondaymediasection.raceintheuk |title=Tigers in a prize fight |work=Guardian|date= 2002-02-25|accessdate=2012-08-06 |location=London}} The launch was surrounded by controversy, with rival network Zee TV claiming that B4U had stolen its database of subscribers in the UK. The B4U management claimed that they had got hold of the database from ex-employees and have been using it to send mailers promoting its service.[http://www.indiantelevision.com/newsletter/150999/zee15999.htm The Indian CAB&SAT Reporter - ZEE TO LAUNCH TV WORLD] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041213192333/http://www.indiantelevision.com/newsletter/150999/zee15999.htm |date=13 December 2004 }} In 2001, the network went on to launch the channels in the United States and Canada and the Middle East by the end of the year.

B4U signed a deal with FTV to broadcast Indian fashion shows throughout the world as well as more local events.{{Cite web|title=The Indian Cab&Sat Reporter|url=https://www.indiantelevision.com/news_analysis/newsletter/170400/b4u170400.htm|access-date=2021-09-01|website=www.indiantelevision.com}} In 2001, the network won 9 Promax Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k1/dec/dec22.htm |title=B4U strikes gold-n-silver at Promax & BDA Asia 2001 Awards |date=7 December 2001 |publisher=Indiantelevision.com |accessdate=2012-08-06}} The network then ventured into movie production in 2002, co-producing all films produced by iDream.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k2/aug/aug165.htm |title=B4U ties up with iDream; to be co-producer in all its films |publisher=indiantelevision.com |date=2002-08-29 |accessdate=2012-08-06}}

Television channels

= Current channels =

== India ==

class="wikitable"

!Channel

!Launched

!Language

!Category

B4U Music

|1999

|Hindi

|Music

B4U Movies

|1999

|Hindi

|Movies

B4U Kadak

|2019

|Hindi

|Movies

B4U Bhojpuri

|2019

|Bhojpuri

|Movies

B4U Hitz

|2024

|Hindi

|Music

== International ==

class="wikitable"

!Channel

!Launched

!Language

!Category

B4U Plus

|2015

|Hindi, English

|GEC/Movies

= Defunct channels =

class="wikitable"

!Channel

!Launched

!Closed

!Language

!Category

B4U TV

|2000

|2001

|Hindi

|GEC

Ashirwaad Classic

|2013

|2015

|Hindi

|Movies

Movie House

|2015

|2019

|Hindi

|Movies

Dhamaka Movies B4U

|2022

|2024

|Hindi

|Movies

B4U Aflam

|2013

|2023

|Arabic

|Movies

B4U Today

The network was the media sponsor Mayor of London's 2007 Diwali Festival in Trafalgar Square.{{cite web|url=http://www.indiantelevision.com/headlines/y2k7/oct/oct257.php |title=B4U Network to celebrate Diwali in London |publisher=Indiantelevision.com |date=2007-10-18 |accessdate=2012-08-06}}

B4U Films

B4U Films (alternatively named, B4U Productions Plc.) is a wholly owned subsidiary of B4U TV Ltd. (B4U), Mumbai based media and entertainment production company. It was started in 1997, and handles the motion picture production and distribution of B4U.

B4U Films produces films in Bollywood as well as in Punjab, where it partners with other leading film studios. They distribute Lollywood movies as well.

It first produced Bhai, which starred Suniel Shetty, Kader Khan and Kunal Khemu. In 2015 they started distributing Pakistani films by distributing Karachi Se Lahore worldwide. The latest film, they had distributed was Mahira Khan starred Pakistani romantic comedy film 7 Din Mohabbat In.