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SharePUNE: Global media baron Rupert Murdoch's interests in regional news networks in India were once again in the limelight on Sunday following a meeting between Murdoch and Sakaal Papers Ltd managing director Abhijeet Pawar.
The Australian-born billionaire who arrived in his private jet had a luncheon meeting with Abhijeet Pawar, his father Prataprao, Sakaal Group's television head Sanjay Dabke and senior journalist Dileep Padgaonkar. The Pawars who own Pune's leading Marathi daily, Sakaal, are closely related to union agriculture minister Sharad Pawar.
"It was a business meeting and I cannot tell you anything further," Abhijeet Pawar told
DNA when asked about the meeting.
"I do confirm that there was a luncheon meeting. Murdoch is meeting all kinds of people and I won't say anything beyond this. Murdoch himself will announce whatever he wants to in tomorrow's press conference in Mumbai," Dileep Padgaonkar, editor of Sakaal Group's publication India and Global Affairs, said while speaking to DNA.
The presence of Padgaonkar, who's firm APCA (Asia-Pacific Television Associates), has print and TV operations, and Dabke, at the meeting suggested that it related to possible collaborations in a television venture.
Star TV has already tied up with the Ananda Bazaar Patrika (ABP) Group from Kolkata in establishing a joint venture company which launched the Marathi news channel Star Majha, and previously, Star Ananda in Bengali and Star Hindi in the national language.
Incidentally, the Sakaal Group has plans to launch its Marathi infotainment channel Saam from August 15.
Sources said thatMurdoch who was hosted a lavish lunch at Abhijeet Pawar's bungalow, left Pune by his private jet at around 3.30pm.
According to Businessweek, while Murdoch's satellites broadcast television programmes in five continents he publishes more than 175 newspapers worldwide and owns major media and entertainment firms such as Twentieth Century Fox Studio, Fox Network and over 30 TV stations in the US alone.
