PlanetRead Global expansion summary

Introduction

PlanetRead is currently in the initial stages of expanding the SLS project outside of India. Our objective is to start operations by end of 2006.Our regions of interest include countries in South Asia, Africa, and Latin America. We believe that the affiliation model with a local partner is the most suitable and sustainable model for entering a new country.In each country we will design and implement a custom partnership agreement together with the local organization.A preliminary dialog is ongoing with potential partners in Bangladesh and Pakistan.Potential partners interested in promoting SLS in any country are requested to Contact us at GlobalPartnerships@PlanetRead.org The following data describes the main elements in our global expansion strategy.

Criteria to choose new countries

  • Literacy level - % and number of early literates
  • Potential reach of TV SLS - TV penetration level and growth; Suitable TV programs
  • Potential partners and their interest/commitment level
  • Operational complexity
  • Financial - required resources, potential earned income, potential funding sources
  • Risks

Main partners in a new country

  • PlanetRead - provides support to country project leader organization*
  • Project leader - local organization responsible for project leadership and management*
  • Subtitling production unit - including editing and language tasks. There are various alternatives such as setting up internal operations unit, using the services of PlanetRead operations centre in India, or outsourcing to SLS service provider
  • TV Channels - national/ state/ private
  • National/ state Department of Education
  • Catalysts (not country specific)- Multilateral agencies and foundations

Recommended first stage (pilot) model

The recommended minimum pilot duration is one year. The following is a possible business model for an initial pilot phase.

Project management

Country project leader organization is responsible for maintaining and developing the relationship with the TV channels and for building contacts with all other local stakeholders.PlanetRead is responsible for supporting the local partner in required areas (to be defined case by case).

Operations

Local partner is responsible for collection/delivery of the content from/to the local TV channel, and sending/receiving content to/from PlanetRead India subtitling centre in Mumbai or Pondicherry.PlanetRead India subtitling centre is responsible for preparing the SLS version including all the editing and language tasks. We recommend using the PlanetRead centre for the initial stage because of the high risk of working with a new subtitling centre and the critical quality level factor required especially in a pilot stage.

Finance

General objective to achieve high earned income + reduce funding need from PlanetRead + increase funding responsibility of local partner.

The responsibility of each stakeholder to be defined.

Regional data analysis

The following section includes data, statistics, and analysis regarding different regions.

General analysis

The following are a few considerations regarding the expansion the SLS project to South Asia countries:

  • Similar culture, passion for song content, Pakistan has recently legalized the broadcast of Bollywood content
  • Reduced logistical complexity - close to PlanetRead India operations centre
  • Reduced operational costs

High priority countries

Bangladesh and Pakistan are high priority countries for the following reasons:

  • Low literacy level - around 40% (see figure 1)
  • Large total population - 145m in Bangladesh, 164m in Pakistan
  • High TV penetration and growth (see figure 2)
  • Current contacts with potential local partners and funding sources