UTVi business TV channel from UTV set to roll

By Our Media Editor
20 February, 2008:

The stage is set for the launch of UTVi, the business news television channel from UTV. UTVi has put its editorial team in place, headed by editor-in-chief Govindraj Ethiraj. Govindraj Ethiraj was earlier with CNBC TV18, where he was corporate editor. After leaving CNBC TV18, he worked with Business Standard for a while, where he was in charge of Web operations. Though Govindraj Ethiraj has left Business Standard, he continues to write a column for the paper.

Arun Anant, formerly with Bennett Coleman & Company (BCCL) which publishes Times of India and Economic Times is the chief executive officer (CEO) of UTVi.

Prior to its launch, UTVi has also tied up a content sharing deal with Disney-ABC International TV, which is the TV distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company. News and programmes from ABC News will be telecast on UTVi. UTVi claims that the content sharing deal with Disney-ABC will provide UTVi audiences an international perspective and global programming.

According to Ronnie Screwvala, CEO of UTV Software Communications, the market leader in business news TV space (read CNBC TV18) controls 80% of the market. UTVi feels there is tremendous untapped potential in this market. While CNBC TV18, promoted by Raghav Bahl, primarily tracks the stock markets throughout the day, UTVi hopes to be more than that - providing 360 degree perspectives on all aspects of business. UTVi also feels that the growing breed of business-oriented individuals, executives and entrepreneurs offers it tremendous opportunities.

Said UTVi CEO Arun Anant: "UTVi will be India's most powerful, interactive news and information network. We will connect real time news through multiple platforms like television, web & mobile. UTVi will be a business news channel going beyond the stock markets."

Adds UTVi Editor in Chief Govindraj Ethiraj: "UTVi is a product that is built on exhaustive consumer insights and understanding. Our aim is to grow the market for business news and information in India, as it is growing globally. We also believe that today's students, managers, businessmen and entrepreneurs want information and knowledge that empowers them from within India and the world at large. The service will also offer cutting edge shows on careers, technology, automobiles, travel and good living," he adds.

On Thursday, UTVi also tied up a content deal with Business Standard: The channel will telecast BS Wire, BS Alerts and BS Breaking News, besides business nuggets throughout the day, based on the importance of the news.

UTVi will also tap the editorial talent pool for expert comments, views and opinions, which will be featured on UTVi. The channel will also benefit from the research wealth of Business Standard. In turn, Business Standard will get to publish extracts and highlights of shows aired on UTVi.

Business Standard chief editor TN Ninan, who also holds a minority stake in the paper expressed happiness at the content tie-up. "We are happy to partner with UTVi in this venture. This alliance gives us an excellent opportunity to combine the quality content of a business newspaper with the immediacy of television news," he said.

UTVi editor Govindraj Ethiraj also claimed that there were significant synergies in the BS-UTVi deal.

However, more competition is on the cards for UTVi. Economic Times, leader of print media market, is planning to launch a television channel of its own, to complement its other channels Times Now and Zoom. The business television plans have been cooking for a while, and it seems the impending launch of UTVi has accelerated the pace at BCCL.

For UTV, UTVi will be the fifth TV channel to go on air. The others are Bindass & Bindass Movies, World Movies and UTV Movies. Currently, Ronnie Screwvala holds 100% stake in UTVi. He has announced that after three months, he will sell 20% to UTV Software. In 2006, Disney had bought kids channel Hungama TV from UTV for $30.5 million and also bought a 14.9% stake in UTV Software. Earlier this year, Disney increased its stake in UTV to 32.1% for around Rs 800 crore.