MUMBAI: TV Today Network is now eyeing a Mumbai-centric news channel after having recently launched Dilli Aaj Tak, which serves the National Capital Region (NCR).

On the sidelines of a book release function here today, sources in TV Today Network confirmed that Mumbai Aaj Tak is very much on the cards, but a time frame cannot be given at the moment.

The sources said the fate of Mumbai Aaj Tak channel would be formally decided after evaluating the numbers delivered by Dilli Aaj Tak.

What is more important, TV industry observers point out, is that the Aroon Purie-controlled network does not still have a full fledged infrastructure in Mumbai to support a 24-hour local channel.

The function yesterday marked the release of a Hindi book, Anchor and Reporter written by Aaj Tak deputy editor Punya Prasun Bajpai.

With the launch of Dilli Aaj Tak, TV Today Network has now successfully launched Hindi news space market leader Aaj Tak, English sibling Headlines Today and a Hindi version of Headlines Today called Tez.

While Dilli Aaj Tak has competition in S1, Sahara Samay NCR and Total TV, in Mumbai the field is more open since apart from Sahara Samay Mumbai, there are only cable news channels run by MSOs and cable ops.

TV Today Network posted an increase of 66.86 per cent in net profit at Rs 110 million for the quarter ended 31 March 2006 as against Rs 66.1 million for the corresponding quarter last year.

The total income of the company increased 25.83 per cent to Rs 514.4 million for the same quarter from Rs 409 million in a year ago period.

The TV Today scrip opened today at Rs 85 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

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