Indian multiplex chains PVR and Inox, who merged earlier this year, have launched an integrated distribution arm named PVR Inox Pictures (formerly PVR Pictures). The goal is to streamline content for the Indian market and increase investment in content acquisition to create further opportunities. Bringing together underrated storytellers and independent creators, PVR Inox aims to provide powerful content to Indian audiences.
PVR Inox operates a network of 1689 cinema screens in 361 facilities across 115 cities in India and Sri Lanka. They hold a 43% share of India’s multiplex screens and are India’s largest independent distributor of foreign language films and a prominent distributor of Indian films. “The size of the opportunity is unprecedented when two great forces come together. Expanding on quality and depth, PVR Inox Pictures is better positioned than ever to create value for international producers, distributors, independent film communities and studios,” said PVR Inox Limited Executive Director Sanjeev Kumar Bijli at the Cannes Film Market.
However, while the company has aggressive expansion plans, 50 screens will be closed over the next six months, as announced in the financial statements. “They are either located in single-screen cinemas that have reached the end of their life cycle with little hope of recovery, or they are housed in shopping malls.” PVR Inox reported a consolidated net loss of $40 million for the period, mainly due to the slump in Bollywood movies.
In other news, Sky is set to launch their three-part series 7/7: Days of Terror in Britain (tentative title) on the Sky documentary and streamer Now in 2025 to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the 7/7 bombings. The series aims to be the definitive version of the events that took place in London on July 7, 2005, when 52 people were killed and more than 700 injured as part of the Al Qaeda operation. The series tracks three perspectives in parallel: ordinary civilians caught in the attack, unheard voices from those who are closely associated with the perpetrators, and the events leading up to the attack. Produced by Sky Studios company Blast Films, the series was commissioned for Sky Documentaries by Zai Bennett, MD of Content at Sky, Poppy Dixon, Director of Documentary and Facts, and Tom Barry, Commissioned Editor. Danny Horan will serve as Executive Producer, and Karim Shah will serve as Producer. NBCUniversal Global Distribution will handle international sales of the series on behalf of Sky Studios.