Update: we just received an official note from Eros on this deal. According to the note, “Eros will retain the rights to exploit the music videos on its own Eros branded digital platforms and services including but not limited to cable and Internet throughout the term. Eros will also continue to monetize its music catalogue which does not form part of the current deal with T Series.”
We’ve asked Eros for accurate information on who currently monetizes its catalogue. Our guess (awaiting confirmation/denial from Eros) would be – Pre-Drona is with Mauj, Post-Drona till now is with Hungama, and from now on, with T-Series (and Hungama as a result).
July 27th: Music label T-Series has acquired rights to music and audio-visual content from Eros Films, across all formats, reports Bollywood Hungama; This includes content for three upcoming films Anjaana Anjaani, Ra.One and Rockstar. This gives T-Series the right to license the content on mobile and digital formats as well. The specific number of films for which the deal has been inked has not been reported.
What’s noteworthy about this development is that previously Hungama Digital Media had a direct digital distribution deal with Eros. Post this new deal, Eros content being provided to telecom operators and platform service providers by Hungama, as well as its own Hungama.com initiative, will be routed through T-Series. Not much of a change from a consumer standpoint, but this could impact the revenue share that Hungama received from the sale of Eros content on digital platforms. Before Hungama inked the content deal with Eros (apparently for films starting with Drona), People Group company Mauj Mobile had the rights.
T-Series and Hungama are building a powerful partnership across physical and digital Bollywood music – In December last year, T-Series, Hungama and BIG Music inked an agreement to “co-own” the BIG Music catalogue. Hungama never did clarify to us whether a joint venture had been inked between the entities.
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