MUMBAI: Reliance Broadcast Network?s (RBNL) regional general entertainment channel for the Hindi speaking heartland of central India, Big Magic is all set to launch two new fiction properties ?Beta Hi Chahiye? and ?Jai Maa Vindhyavasini?.

Exploring genres such as social stigma and ?mytho-drama? stories, the launch of the two shows mark the strengthening of the fiction show line-up on the channel.
 
Both shows, ?Beta Hi Chahiye? and ?Jai Maa Vindhyavasini? will go on-air on 20 May on Big Magic.

?Beta Hi Chahiye? is a show that focuses on the social stigma that currently plagues various parts of our country ? the need for a male offspring. The show traces the story of Saroja, a young woman living in Bansinagar who faces problems in her married life after she gives birth to a girl child. Produced by Big Productions, the show features Garima Tiwari and popular Ankit Bathla in lead roles along with Jitendra Trehan and Shravani Goswami, Vipin Chahal and Shaiza Kashyap. The show will air every Monday to Friday at 6.00 pm, with repeats airing at 8.00 pm.

?Jai Maa Vindhyavasini? is a ?mytho-drama? which will take the turn of a love story blessed by Maa Vindyavasini. The show is the story of Gauri, a strong believer in the powers of goddess Vindhyavasini. The story, based in Mirzapur, speaks of the Goddess? protection and how she miraculously unites young Gauri with her true love. Produced by Khalome Media, the show features actors like Atul Srivastava, Darpan Shrivastava, Gulfam Khan, and Yash Gera. The show will air every Monday to Friday at 6.30 pm, with repeats airing at 8.30 pm.

RBNL business head-language TV Sunil Kumaran said, "After establishing our non-fiction shows as some of the biggest in central India, we are now looking at strengthening our foothold among audiences for our fiction offerings. ?Beta Hi Chahiye? and ?Jai Maa Vindhyavasini? are two new women-centric dramas which have storylines that are bound to find a strong connect with our loyal audiences in the region."

MUMBAI: German media conglomerate Bertelsmann has confirmed plans to cut its stake in RTL Group, Europe?s largest commercial broadcaster, by selling shares on the stock exchange but will continue to be the majority shareholder with atleast 75 per cent stake.

Bertelsmann, which holds a stake of 92.3 per cent in RTL with 7.7 percent in free float, will reduce its shareholding in RTL Group by way of a secondary public offering.

The German mass media conglomerate will use the cash from the RTL sale for expansion and acquisitions. Media reports say that the company could raise $2.6 billion to $3 billion from the stake sale.

The company said that the transaction would result in a significant increase of the free float in RTL Group shares, with Bertelsmann maintaining a qualified majority of at least 75 per cent.

RTL?s co-CEOs Anke Schaferkordt and Guillaume de Posch said, "Bertelsmann is and will remain the majority shareholder in RTL Group and will continue to support the strategic development of our business. The reduction of Bertelsmann?s shareholding would significantly increase the free float of RTL Group shares, enabling a more diverse ownership base to share in our success."

RTL Group, which is currently listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and the Euronext Brussels market, intends to apply for a listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

In India, RTL has a JV with Reliance Broadcast Networks (RBNL) and the Big RTL JV currently owns and operates Big Thrill channel.