| GBN is likely to partner with a media company
for the venture, a source close to the company says. "The plan
is to tie up with a media player. This will involve an equity relationship
as well. The finer details are being worked out," he adds.
Bahl had earlier told Indiantelevision.com that he was closely
examining the regional news space as an important growth segment.
Under TV18 fall the two business channels CNBC TV18 and Awaaz, while
GBN will hold all ventures in the general news space.
The Marathi regional news space will see a flurry of action. Zee
has already launched Zee 24 Taas as part of its "region-specific
strategy." Other players keen to enter are Star Ananda and
Hyderabad-based TV9.
Also eyeing the regional news space is India TV which recently
announced it would launch in Gujarati and Punjabi languages within
a year.
GBN, which captures the revenues from CNN-IBN and Hindi news channel
IBN 7, has identified expansion in the area of regional news channels.
The company is eyeing opportunities in the southern languages as
well, the source says.
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