In accordance with their stated plans of being a full service media conglomerate with interests in all stated mediums, Network 18 has announced plans to roll out theater chains through a new subsidy entitled Starglaze. Mint reports the entire project will be funded by Capital 18 and the national roll out of multiplexes is expected to start within this year. Starglaze is contemplating differential pricing for metros and Tier II and Tier III markets. The multiplex market is fairly crowded with Adlabs (rumoured to be going digital in rural areas), Inox, PVR, Cinemax and Fun Cinemas amongst others.

Going by their roll-out, a business print play to rival Economic Times and a radio channel should be next steps, but with an economic downturn looming around the corner, can N18 handle the bends?