7plus adds Bollywood FAST channel

7plus has added a Bollywood entertainment channel, Shemaroo Bollywood, after partnering with Indian-based Shemaroo Entertainment Limited, founded in 1962.

The FAST (free ad-supported streaming TV) channel  becomes Australia’s first Free to Air Hindi entertainment channel, and features Bollywood titles across romance, action, comedy and child-friendly movies.

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 rich 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.

Shemaroo Head of International Business and India Digital Syndication, Nishith Varshneya, 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 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’s leading presence in 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.”

The launch coincides with Seven’s coverage of the ICC World Test Championship Final between Australia and India, live  from The Oval on Seven and 7plus from today.