Indian TV viewers have never had it so good or so bad (depending on the viewer).

Some 100 TV channels are supposed to be launched over the next 12 months with more to come.

While this huge expansion in TV channels means so much more choice for viewers, it also portends intense competition for ad dollars.

Coming as this TV expansion does amidst growing Internet usage, the battle for ad dollars is bound to be unprecedented and may also cause ripples over the Internet advertising and the print markets as well.

A Reuters story highlights the opportunities and challenges in the expansion of TV channels in India:

With the total number of channels on air set to hit 700 by 2009, broadcasters will be forced to slash advertising rates and spend heavily on improving technology to ensure their channels are carried into homes, or face the prospect of being swallowed up by rivals.

For now anyway, everyone is just scrambling to launch more TV channels.

The Prannoy Roy-headed NDTV is launching several new channels including an entertainment channel soon and gearing up to expand its presence in the U.S. as well to target the diaspora.

Fresh from its acquisition of a 51% stake in Tamil movies distributor Ayngaran International,  Bollywood producer and distributor Eros International is bolstering its acquisition capabilities.

Eros today disclosed that Citigroup Global Markets had underwritten a $100 million 5-year facility to finance acquisitions.

Eros CEO Kishore Lulla is bullish on the opportunities in the market for Indian entertainment content:

This facility will increase Eros’ firepower to create significant value for our shareholders and partners through the acquisition and production of Indian entertainment content.

Media house Times Group’s new YoList classifieds web site has debuted, adding to the clutter in this online advertising segment. 

YoList has been launched in beta (trial version) and currently all ads posted on the web site are free.

Registered users of Times Group’ portal IndiaTimes.com can use their existing user id and password to access the services of YoList.

There are a total of 24 categories that users can choose from to post or view a listing on YoList. Categories include the usual popular ones like Books, Computers, Jewellery, Matrimonial, Music, Sales & Bargains, Travel and Vehicles.

With the debut of YoList, you begin to wonder how many classifieds web sites do Indians need?

Besides the foreign players like Craigslist and Continue Reading…