Rajat Sharma Launches 24-hour Hindi News Channel

New Delhi, Delhi, India, Tuesday, May 18, 2004 (Business Wire India)--INDIA TV, the free-to-air Hindi news and current affairs channel, promoted by the well-known television presenter, Rajat Sharma, will be on air 24 hours beginning 7am on May 20, 2004. The channel has been on air for the past four weeks with a three-hour Election Special covering the general elections. The much-awaited news channel hopes to set itself apart from the existing ones by setting new benchmarks of responsible journalism.

Run by a highly motivated team, the channel will go beyond unbiased news coverage and address issues such as corruption, environment, crime, public safety and those concerning women. The channel will provide accurate information and objective analysis without resorting to sensationalism. Unique programming and editorial policy, backed by state-of-the-art technology, will lend INDIA TV a distinct edge over the others in the arena.

Complementing and supporting the channel's own resources will be people known for their expertise in various facets of television journalism. Also on board will be personalities such as investigative journalist Tarun Tejpal and environment activist Maneka Gandhi, both of whom are known for their tireless pursuit of social justice.

Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Rajat Sharma, Chairman, INDIA TV, said, “We aim to change the way broadcast news reporting is being conducted in the country. INDIA TV will set new benchmarks by maintaining international standards of responsible and credible news reporting. We will stay away from graphic depictions of violence and sensationalism of news. We will uphold the viewer's right to correct information and their right to truth and verity. INDIA TV is not just a news channel, it is a movement.�

In his latest venture, Sharma is supported by his wife, Ritu Dhawan, who has 16 years of experience in television production and broadcasting. She has been trained in news broadcasting at BSkyB, London. Speaking on the vision behind INDIA TV, she said, “We have worked very hard to make INDIA TV a world-class channel with an international feel. Yet, we have ensured that the soul of the channel remains Indian and its programming addresses the issues and interests of the average Indian�.

The programming on INDIA TV will incorporate in-depth analysis and minute-to-minute coverage of relevant issues. Twenty-minute news bulletins will be supported by ten-minute analyses of key events, every half hour. Forming one of the largest news-gathering networks in the country, INDIA TV will have reporters stationed every 100 miles, and it will not limit itself to metro-centric news reporting. Instead, it will enter the heartland of India bringing news from the most neglected areas.

Some of the major attractions at INDIA TV will include Aaj ki Baat Rajat Sharma ke Saath, a daily programme blending news reporting and analysis between 9 and 10 pm, Jeene ki Raah, a daily special bulletin on environment and animal welfare, anchored by Maneka Gandhi and a daily bulletin called Aaj ka Tehelka, exposing corruption at all levels, by Tarun Tejpal. Among the bouquet of programmes will be path breakers like Aap Ki Adalat, Sharma's signature show.

Commenting on her decision to join INDIA TV, Maneka Gandhi said, “I joined INDIA TV because I think it is a channel that will tell the truth, and place it in the proper perspective without trivialising it�.

Added Tarun Tejpal, “I had resisted the allure of joining television till Rajat approached me to be a part of his team at INDIA TV. Realising that the power of the visual medium can heighten the overall effect of an investigative story and leave a lasting impression on the audience, I agreed.�

The channel will provide viewers with a world-class television experience through its state-of-the-art technology. The channel's broadcast centre at Film City in NOIDA, outside Delhi, is spread over 80,000 square feet of space. It has fully automated digital newsrooms, and is the first of its kind in India. With four world-class studio floors equipped with multi-camera setups and computer-controlled lighting specially designed for 24-hour live news broadcast, INDIA TV has the largest television studio floor in Asia built specially on a mega-scale for audience-based shows like Aap Ki Adalat and Awaaz.

Further, for the first time in India, the network of reporters will use fibre optic links for video transmission. These fibre optic links will connect 110 stations to the broadcast centre to facilitate real time transmission of news. The newsgathering network will also use mobile satellite vans and suitcase dish antennas for sending video despatches from remote locations. The free-to-air news channel will be beamed from the PAS 10 satellite, which also beams channels such as Sony, Ten Sports, ESPN, HBO, MTV, BBC and CNN.

About Independent News service (INS) INDIA TV is the latest offering from INS. INS was established in June 1997 and is promoted by Rajat Sharma and Ritu Dhawan. INS was created with the purpose of producing news and current affairs programming. The company has concentrated on developing and establishing a strong news network supported by cutting edge technology. INS has to its credit programmes such as Aap ki Adaalat, Aaj Ki Baat, Awaaz, Aaj Subah and a host of election bulletins and special interviews.

Media contact details: Rajyashree Sen, IPAN, +91 (11) 2332 6200, rsen@ipan.com, Abhishek Mahapatra, IPAN, +91 (11) 2332 6200, abhishek@ipan.com