[Reader-list] CNN ‘Open To’ Channel For India

[Shivam]

  CNN 'Open To' Channel For India  
  http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=67591


OUR EFE BUREAU 
Posted online: Thursday, September02, 2004 at 0000 hours IST 
 
NEW DELHI:  CNN International is open to the idea of launching a
channel for the India market. Replying to a media question on whether
there were channel plans for the country, CNN International managing
director Chris Cramer said "yes". Without elaborating much on the kind
of channel being planned, Mr Cramer said: "Our competence is in
news...." This is seen as an interesting development in a growing TV
news environment in India.

Al Jazeera, an Arabic news channel, which got considerable viewership
during the recent Gulf war, is expected to make India-specific
announcements on Thursday. But, Mr Cramer did not see it as a
challenge to CNN. "It's just an Arabic language channel," he said. Mr
Cramer was in the capital to announce a programming-cum-marketing
initiative. From September 4 to 12, CNN will show 'Eye on India', a
combination of live and feature programmes around various facets of
India. Oberoi Hotels is the presenting sponsor for the initiative. The
channel also announced launch of another discussion forum, which would
deal with issues like outsourcing. Indian personalities like Shah Rukh
Khan and Biocon's Kiran Mazumdar Shaw would have shows in the India
segment.

Recently, there was speculation about Turner International
collaborating with the Zee group in India to launch a port channel.
Zee emerged the highest bidder for telecast rights to the Board of
Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) matches, but it does not have a
sport channel yet. Turner and Zee are part of the same distribution
platform in India.

Mr Cramer reiterated CNN's commitment to India, but admitted that CNN
was behind BBC in viewership in India. But, there are several other
markets across the world where CNN is ahead of BBC, he added.