Thursday, October 27, 2005
Turner, TV18 Group Form Partnership for 24-hour News Channel in India
Source: CNN PressRoom Turner International and Global Broadcast News (GBN), a TV18 Group Company, today announced a partnership to launch a co-branded, 24-hour, English-language general news channel in India.
Renowned TV journalist Rajdeep Sardesai will spearhead GBN’s foray into the general news space as the editor-in-chief of the service. The co-branded service, CNN-IBN, will build upon the strong foundation of TV18’s newsgathering experience and infrastructure in India, bolstered by CNN’s eminent and extensive global news network.
Under the terms of the agreement, GBN’s proposed channel – formerly known as India Broadcast News (IBN) and now co-branded as CNN-IBN - will have access to CNN’s trademark live breaking news as well as key feature programs. This alliance will enable Indian viewers to view local news as well as relevant global news from CNN on the same platform. The new channel will focus on providing robust and high quality news from every corner of India with a complete commitment to the needs and aspirations of the Indian viewer, while CNN International will continue to deliver global news to Indian viewers.
“The news channel is built on the age-old ethic that editorial sovereignty is inviolable – and this shall be a cornerstone of GBN’s partnership with CNN,” Sardesai said. “It will be a journalist-driven channel rooted in the realities of modern India. With nationwide newsgathering capabilities, superior journalistic talent and a passion for news, the new service will endeavor to get the news first and direct from the ground. In a fast-globalizing India, access to CNN's global news network will add immense value for our audiences.”
“This service will complement CNN International’s global news offering and marks another milestone in CNN's efforts to move closer to its audience though local partnerships,” said Chris Cramer, managing director of CNN International. “The coupling of CNN's global resources and GBN’S local expertise will take news broadcasting in India to a whole new level.”
“With a history of editorial independence and vitality, the enterprising local media is playing an increasingly important role in keeping Indians informed as the global influence of India continues to grow,” said Steve Marcopoto, president and managing director of Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific Inc. “Being the world's largest democracy, India has a voracious appetite for news, and this unique partnership with GBN will enable Turner and CNN to bring an unparalleled global scope to this genre.”
Headquartered in New Delhi, the channel will be supported by more than 20 bureaus nationwide, along with a team of experienced newspersons and production staff, backed by TV18’s state-of-the-art broadcast infrastructure and newsgathering technology.
Renowned TV journalist Rajdeep Sardesai will spearhead GBN’s foray into the general news space as the editor-in-chief of the service. The co-branded service, CNN-IBN, will build upon the strong foundation of TV18’s newsgathering experience and infrastructure in India, bolstered by CNN’s eminent and extensive global news network.
Under the terms of the agreement, GBN’s proposed channel – formerly known as India Broadcast News (IBN) and now co-branded as CNN-IBN - will have access to CNN’s trademark live breaking news as well as key feature programs. This alliance will enable Indian viewers to view local news as well as relevant global news from CNN on the same platform. The new channel will focus on providing robust and high quality news from every corner of India with a complete commitment to the needs and aspirations of the Indian viewer, while CNN International will continue to deliver global news to Indian viewers.
“The news channel is built on the age-old ethic that editorial sovereignty is inviolable – and this shall be a cornerstone of GBN’s partnership with CNN,” Sardesai said. “It will be a journalist-driven channel rooted in the realities of modern India. With nationwide newsgathering capabilities, superior journalistic talent and a passion for news, the new service will endeavor to get the news first and direct from the ground. In a fast-globalizing India, access to CNN's global news network will add immense value for our audiences.”
“This service will complement CNN International’s global news offering and marks another milestone in CNN's efforts to move closer to its audience though local partnerships,” said Chris Cramer, managing director of CNN International. “The coupling of CNN's global resources and GBN’S local expertise will take news broadcasting in India to a whole new level.”
“With a history of editorial independence and vitality, the enterprising local media is playing an increasingly important role in keeping Indians informed as the global influence of India continues to grow,” said Steve Marcopoto, president and managing director of Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific Inc. “Being the world's largest democracy, India has a voracious appetite for news, and this unique partnership with GBN will enable Turner and CNN to bring an unparalleled global scope to this genre.”
Headquartered in New Delhi, the channel will be supported by more than 20 bureaus nationwide, along with a team of experienced newspersons and production staff, backed by TV18’s state-of-the-art broadcast infrastructure and newsgathering technology.
# posted by ATN @ 5:19 PM 
