Factual
Jain TV awaits clear government guidelines before committing to DTH
The government has failed to clearly set forth guidelines on direct-to-home (DTH) transmission and till that is in place we will not be committing ourselves, Dr JK Jain, president, Jain TV, said on the sidelines of a rather stormy press conference in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Dr Jain was peppered with questions on his ongoing war of words with the Prime Minister’s Office over his being called an agent of Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI in an intelligence report.
Speaking on the current state of affairs of his operations following his falling out with the government, Dr Jain exuded confidence that he would pull through. The fundamentals of his operations were quite strong, he said.
Queried on how the channel’s revenues would be affected keeping in mind that the government was not advertising on his channel, Dr jain said there were no ads in the first place so the question of loss of revenues on that score was irrelevant.
Queried on what were his plans vis-a-vis his channel, he said Jain TV was just one of his interests. He wanted to get into the internet business and was very keen to develop e-commerce activities he said. Towards that end Jain was going ahead with its broadband plans and was already providing feeds to a number of clients, he said.
Regarding plans for DTH broadcast, he said he was still awaiting clear governemnt guidelines. When his attention was drawn to the fact that Star Television had announced it was going ahead with DTH operations, he retorted that Star had announced the same thing three years ago but nothing came of it finally.
The government had not even formatted application forms as yet so there was no point in going ahead with DTH plans at this stage, he said. He, however, added that Jain would be interested in DTH broadcast if and when the government was really ready to go ahead with it. It has accepted any applications as of now, he stated.
On the earth station front his plans were on track, Dr Jain said. twelve acres of land had been acquired in Noida outside New Delhi and a teleport was already functioning there he said.
On the political front, Dr Jain is up against the government of the day but he remains optimistic as far as the future of his media expansion plans go.
Factual
National Geographic launches ‘Postcards from Hong Kong’ with Ridhi Dogra
New series explores the city’s hidden gems and vibrant contrasts, premiering 28 March.
MUMBAI: Ridhi Dogra just sent a postcard from Hong Kong that’s worth framing because when a bustling metropolis reveals its quiet trails and timeless traditions, even the skyline takes a back seat. National Geographic has unveiled Postcards from Hong Kong, a refreshing travel series hosted and curated by actor Ridhi Dogra. Produced by National Geographic Creative Works in collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board, the show offers an intimate, Indian traveller’s perspective on one of Asia’s most iconic cities, moving beyond its glittering harbour and skyscrapers to uncover serene beaches, scenic hiking trails and deep cultural traditions.
Across three visually rich episodes, Ridhi journeys through contrasting sides of Hong Kong. The first episode takes her on a quieter path of self-discovery to places like Sai Kung, Big Wave Bay, Dragon’s Back, Tai O, Ngong Ping, Po Lin Monastery and the Tian Tan Buddha. The second episode dives into the city’s energetic side, from the bustling streets of Causeway Bay to Happy Valley Racecourse, Michelin-starred spots and luxury shopping at Landmark.
Ridhi Dogra said, “Being part of Postcards from Hong Kong with Nat Geo was a deeply enriching experience. What I love about this journey is that it goes beyond the obvious; it’s not just about the skyline or the speed of the city but about the stories that live in its quieter corners.”
A National Geographic India spokesperson added, “With Postcards from Hong Kong, we set out to go beyond the familiar and explore the city through a more intimate, human lens.”
Hong Kong Tourism Board director of South Asia Puneet Kumar noted, “Postcards from Hong Kong is a reflection of meaningful storytelling that brings the city to life in an immersive way. It beautifully captures the diversity and spirit that define Hong Kong.”
Blending travel, culture and personal storytelling, the series celebrates Hong Kong as a city of contrasts where modern life meets tradition and every corner holds a story waiting to be discovered. It premieres on 28 March at 8 pm on the National Geographic Channel and will also stream on JioHotstar.
In a world of hurried travel reels, Postcards from Hong Kong slows things down just enough to let viewers truly see the city not just its lights, but its layers, proving that the best souvenirs are the stories you bring home.
