Hong Kong – ‘In Conversation’ at CASBAA Convention 2007, STAR CEO Paul Aiello revealed plans to launch more new channels for India in the coming years, in regional languages including Telegu, Marathi, Bengali and Gujarati. Aiello referred to STAR’s joint venture with Balaji Telefilms to launch new channels targeting the South India market. The April 2007-announced JV, 51% owned by STAR and 49% by Balaji, is headquartered in Chennai and combines resources to infuse VIJAY with Balaji content. The co-venture also intends to debut a Telugu channel by the last quarter of 2007, with channels in Kannada, Malayalam and other key regional languages launching within the next two to three years. “This partnership agreement allows us to tap into Balaji’s regional language production capability and have immediate access to a wealth of programming that is compelling and relevant to the viewer,” said Aiello, describing this as the perfect partnership to expand into these fast growing and important markets.