Shemaroo Entertainment, one of India’s leading players in the Media and Entertainment industry, has joined with the Seven Network, one of Australia’s leading media companies to launch Shemaroo Bollywood, the first-ever Bollywood F.A.S.T. (free ad-supported streaming TV) channel in Australia. This strategic collaboration marks Shemaroo’s first venture with a major broadcaster in the region and sets the stage for an immersive Indian entertainment experience for Australian viewers. Shemaroo Bollywood will be available for free on Seven Network’s streaming platform, 7plus+, providing seamless access to a vast library of iconic Indian/Bollywood movies.
With a six-decade-old legacy and an unparalleled content repository, Shemaroo is all-set to entertain the large Indian diaspora present in Australia. With Seven Network’s association, Shemaroo continues to establish its long-term and mutually beneficial relationships with renowned broadcasters across the globe. By venturing into key markets like Australia, Shemaroo aims to expand its reach and diversify its business portfolio and this latest venture demonstrates Shemaroo’s commitment to realizing this vision.
Bollywood’s timeless songs, compelling storytelling and ability to portray diverse cultures have captivated audiences worldwide and across all age groups. The launch in Australia holds immense significance, particularly for the vibrant Indian diaspora in the country. The launch also coincides perfectly with the forthcoming finals of World Test Championship of Cricket where India and Australia will lock horns for the coveted trophy. As cricket enthusiasts anticipate this thrilling event, Shemaroo Bollywood will complement the excitement by offering captivating movies that showcase the rich tapestry of Indian culture.
This first-of-its-kind association aims to forge a long-term and mutually profitable partnership between Shemaroo and the Seven Network, bolstering Shemaroo’s consumer centric approach in key markets outside India. Shemaroo will harness Seven’s strong presence in broadcast television, publishing and digital platforms, while benefiting from Seven Network’s dominance in TV and BVOD across Australia. Together, they aim to redefine entertainment experiences for audiences in Australia and beyond.
Nishith Varshneya, head of International Business & India Digital Syndication – Shemaroo, said, “At Shemaroo, we are constantly exploring new opportunities to showcase our vast library of Bollywood to audiences across the globe. Our collaboration with Seven Network to launch Shemaroo Bollywood in Australia is a significant step towards achieving this goal. We believe that Bollywood movies and songs have the power to connect varied cultures. With Seven Network’s established presence and expertise in the Australia, we are confident that this partnership will enable us to reach a wider audience and provide them with a delightful entertainment experience. We are excited about the possibilities this collaboration holds and look forward to a successful journey together.”
Seven West Media Chief Digital Officer, Gereurd Roberts, said: “Shemaroo Bollywood on 7plus symbolises Seven’s commitment to bring the most compelling, diverse and global content to Australian audiences, for free. Through our unique collaboration with Shemaroo Entertainment, we are incredibly proud to introduce 7plus viewers to Australia’s first premium Hindi FAST channel and enrich 7plus with a colourful tapestry of captivating Indian cinema. Seven is Australia’s leader in FAST channels. So far in 2023 we have streamed over 250 million FAST channel minutes, up 195% on the same period last year,” he said.
