How do the operating margins for a channel such as HBO work?
We buy a product like any other product. But our products for each of the markets – HBO Asia, South East Asia or South Asia – could vary because we do not always buy rights for all these regions. Each of these regions is distinct and the South Asian market is a very specific market. Obviously, a majority of the programmes come from our studio partners – Sony Pictures, Warner Brothers, Universal and Paramount. What is your strategy for 2004? We will continue to work with our distribution partners – One Alliance in India to build the business forward. We are partly advertising-supported and partly subscription-supported. The advertising segment is always a battle and we have got to convince the agencies about us. We have to build the profile of the channel up by promotions. Spiderman promotion has been able to make the channel very visible, not only to viewers but also to the advertisers. India is an interesting market. You have got DTH, now telecom operators are keen to get involved in
