Scripps Networks picks up 69%, to launch more channels. US-based media company Scripps Networks Interactive has acquired a 69 per cent stake in NDTV Group’s programming subsidiary, NDTV Lifestyle. The latter operates NDTV Good Times, a lifestyle channel. The deal is for $55 million (around Rs 260 crore) and is expected to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2010. NDTV Group would retain a 31 per cent stake in the joint venture, a company statement said. This comes within a fortnight of Scripps Network picking up a majority stake in Travel Channel, the leading international lifestyle television property, for over $1 billion. […]

Will raise Rs 1,729 crore through sale in Belgian arm to reduce debt burden. Suzlon Energy today sold a 35.22 per cent stake in Hansen Transmission, its Belgium-based subsidiary, through a secondary placement of depository interest for $370 million (Rs 1,729 crore), as part of its efforts to retire mounting debt. AE-Rotor Holding BV (AERH), a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Suzlon Energy, which bought Hansen three years earlier, has completed a secondary placement of about 236 million of depository interest at 95 pence each, Suzlon said in a statement. With the sale, Suzlon’s holding in Hansen has declined to 26.06 per cent from over 61 per cent. The sale would not result in changes in the composition of the board in Hansen. […]