MUMBAI: The management of Channel7 changed hands earlier this year. And the industry was watching what wonders the CNN-IBN editorial team led by Rajdeep Sardesai would work with its programming lineup when it was relaunched. News buffs will not have to wait too long as the channel is relaunching on 5 June with a new on-air look and a tag line to boot - Khabar, Har Keemat par (News, No matter what the cost).

The new shows it is touting include News Centre, Sports Zone, Bombay Dreams and Hot Seat.

An hour long show, News Centre will be anchored by managing editor Ashutosh and will encompass all major news from across the country and abroad providing on-ground reportage, studio interviews and in-depth analysis.

Sports Zone will give a wrapup of key sports stories of the day. Bombay Dreams will zoom in on news from tinsel town and the world of glitz - films and entertainment. Hot Seat's format will be the talking heads one - with those in the news being grilled one-on-one. Talk shows, debates, crime updates, breakfast shows are also part of the programming mix.

Says Ashutosh:"We have ambitious programming plans for Channel7 including original content designed to appeal to viewers. The focus will be on building a channel that reflects the moment and engages with viewers over important issues of the day. Hard news will be our core offering as we feel sharpness in news has vanished from Hindi news channels.”

“Channel7 and CNN-IBN will complement each other in serving robust and high quality news from every region of the country and relevant global news. Both channels share common values where, CNN-IBN’s baseline; “Whatever it takes” is balanced by Channel7’s “Khabar, Har Keemat Par.” added Channel7 & CNN-IBN editor-in-chief Rajdeep Sardesai.

Channel7’s editorial team comprises of executive editor assignment Mrityunjay Kumar Jha; executive editor - input Prabal Pratap Singh; senior executive producer - output Sanjeev Paliwal; senior editor, bureau chief national Sumit Awasthi; chief of bureau Mumbai Sanjay Prabhakar; deputy editor, programming Rohit Lal and senior editor Prashant Tandon.

Says Director marketing Dilip Venkatraman:“The Hindi News market is not only cluttered but challenging too. We have put in considerable effort in identifying the channel’s positioning,”Khabar, Har Keemat Par” and developed a new logo, look, programming mix that will work in tandem with the positioning to deliver a holistic world class news experience."

“The synergy shared between CNN-IBN and Channel7 on the positioning platform of hard news will be the key differentiating factor in breaking through the clutter. The advertiser who comes on board of TV18 will enjoy the benefits of being present in all the channels from the Group. This gives them the option of reaching various target groups across the country at the same time. We feel positive that this offering will help us accomplish our sales targets, " director sales Rajnath Kamath concluded.