Infosys BPO, TV18 in outsourcing deal?

Televisionpoint.com Correspondent
Infosys BPO, earlier known as Progeon, the business process outsourcing service arm of infotech major Infosys Technologies, is in talks with the TV18 group for jointly exploring media outsourcing services to companies across the world.

Sources said the TV18 group was in advanced talks with Infosys BPO and was in the process of finalising the management team that would head this venture. The size of the deal is unavailable, but according to company sources, the deal will involve use of the TV18 brand name and the technology and delivery capabilities of Infosys BPO. This will include rolling out online initiatives and creating technology platforms for high-definition content, digital content and projects that involve editing media-related content.

TV18 Managing Director Raghav Bahl said, "At this point of time, we would not like to comment on anything. We will announce it at the appropriate moment."

This partnership will be similar to the Genpact-NDTV joint venture undertaken a year ago in which Genpact provides technology and its offshore execution capability while NDTV uses its brand to bag deals globally Digitisation in media is fueling this outsourcing demand.

According to infotech analysts, Infosys BPO is increasingly focusing on getting more knowledge process outsourcing work. According to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the global media-entertainment industry is estimated at $1.3 trillion (India's GDP in the region of $800 billion) is and is expected to grow to $1,7 trillion by the end of 2009.

Infosys is India's second largest infotech software services exporter. TV18, with interests in television and Internet business, runs four television channels including news and entertainment and about a dozen Internet portals spanning technology to travel.