Zed TV to launch tomorrow

After a number of postponements, Zed TV, the education channel from the Zee TV group is to be launched on 12 October. The channel is being beamed off Asiasat 3S. It will initially be digital free to air but will be converted into an encrypted and paid service in the near future.

The launch is slated to take place at the hands of information and broadcasting minister Sushma Swaraj. Zed TV CEO Uma Ganesh says the channel is expected to tot up an annual revenue of Rs 1,000 million per annum in five years.

At start up, it is offering programming bands targeted at toddlers, school going children, youth, women, IT professionals, and shows targeted at lay consumers.

"We have talk shows, quizzes, cookery, and game shows - to make education fun," says Ganesh. "There are also shows to make consumers aware about law, finance, parenting."

Students will also be taken through tutorial programmes around entrance exams to specialised courses such as management, engineering, hotel management etc.

Ganesh says the channel is going to be the star of the Zee TV pay bouquet. "It will be a must carry channel on cable TV networks because of its content," she says.

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