Markets, real estate IT, corporate to be key areas
NDTV Arabia, the local television channel launched recently by India's NDTV Ltd., will give a major thrust to business programming in the region, K.V.L. Narayan Rao, the company's group chief executive officer and executive director told The Business Weekly.
"Though it is an infotainment channel, NDTV Arabia will focus all sectors of business like markets, real estate, IT, corporates etc. and have discussions, interviews and talk shows involving ministers and leading business personalities in the region," he said.
"I think without any exception, every single individual is sending some money to his or her home country. So, they are keen to watch programs about the market that has a direct influence on their financial matters. We will cater to the local viewers interested in Indian market as well as Indians who are interested in the UAE market," Rao said.
Asked whether the company will list its shares on Dubai Financial Market (DFM), he said, "Once it makes an impact on the viewers in the region and creates sufficient market demand, we will definitely go for it."
The parent company NDTV Ltd. is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE) in India. Last year, the group turnover was $60 million and the company enjoys an average growth rate of 25 per cent year-on-year.
NDTV Arabia is a subsidiary of NDTV's international holding company NDTV Global and NDTV Emerging Markets. The channel was officially launched on October 30 at a function held in Dubai.
Besides Rao, NDTV chairman and celebrated TV personality Dr Pranoy Roy, CEO of NDTV Emerging Markets Shyatto Raha, managing editor of NDTV Profit Shivnath Thukral, managing director of NDTV Plc. Vikram Chandra and other top officials attended the launch event.
The channel aims to cater to the South Asian viewers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Region.
"We will have a local company here called NDTV Middle East Ventures, which is in the last stages of incorporation," Shatto Raha said. He said NDTV Arabia's target is to break even in the first 18 months.
"We want to guarantee a world-class channel in the region. It is something that we proud ourselves in and we will maintain the standards in every channel that we are launching," he added.
"We have tied up with ADD for carrying us on Pehla, ART and Firstnet, and for sales and marketing we are working with Percept Gulf, which has offices in various Middle East and north Africa region," Raha said.
He said the company has put in an allocation for setting up a studio in Dubai, "which will be our main hub in the MENA region."By Pradeep Palat
© The Business Weekly 2007
