Media release, June 1
Mumbai

Media Content & Communications Services India Pvt. Ltd. (MCCS), a joint venture between ABP TV & STAR group, today announced the launch of STAR Ananda - India’s first 24-hour National news channel in Bengali. MCCS presently broadcasts STAR News, India’s first and only global news channel. STAR Ananda will broadcast local, national and international news round-the-clock in the Bengali language.

Headquartered in Kolkata, with modern production facilities housed in a state-of-the-art fully automated newsroom, STAR Ananda boasts an extensive bureau network across the rest of West Bengal and India. Mr. Uday Shankar, CEO, MCCS and Mr. Suman Chattopadhyay, Executive Producer – STAR Ananda, oversee operations on the exclusive Channel.

STAR Ananda leverages the strengths of the ABP network for local news, STAR News for national news and the Fox and Sky network for international news, bringing to the Bengali viewer unparalleled and comprehensive news coverage.

Reflecting the heritage of an impressive parentage and a strong technical and editorial team, STAR Ananda programming features slick, quick-paced half-hour bulletin formats and news through a unique information and analysis perspective. This includes news from the region – featuring crime, politics and lifestyle, national and international news segments, chat shows, news from the world of sports and films, while other city news segments feature events ranging from theatre, food festivals to bargain shopping.

Commenting on the occasion, Mr. Uday Shankar, CEO-MCCS said, “STAR Ananda is the expression of the Bengali on the move. It reflects their urges and aspirations and their impatience with the rate of change. STAR Ananda will mirror the new vibrancy among the Bengali-speaking people. Besides, in emerging markets that are culturally rooted like Kolkata, there is a need for a dedicated channel that can offer high quality news coverage along with views and analysis in the language of the viewers.”

Given the economic resurgence of the Eastern region of India with significant strides in various sectors like IT, Retail, Manufacturing, Services etc., coupled with a vibrant ethos which blends with a progressive lifestyle, the launch of a specialized news channel of this nature is a natural requirement for the region.

“ABP as the oldest and most respected journalistic brand in the East of India, with its finger on the pulse of the Bengali people, sees the launch of STAR Ananda – India’s first 24-hour National Bengali news channel - as a reflection of the progressive spirit of the people of West Bengal. ABP has over the years contributed to and documented this progress as a significant stakeholder. STAR Ananda will further consolidate this bond with our audience in the unique ABP style of news presentation that the region has so come to love,” Mr. Aniruddha Lahiri, MD, ABP said.


STAR Ananda is backed by two of India’s leading and well-established media houses. ABP is a respected leader in print journalism and is characterized by its rich heritage in the Eastern region of India. STAR is the leading television network in the country & has transformed the Asian media scenario with a multitude of successful channels under its banner.

Mr. Peter Mukerjea, CEO, STAR India commented, “Within a short span of two years MCCS has established STAR News as a credible news source which informs while it impacts. It has also set new benchmarks in programming and reach. The launch of STAR Ananda combines the best of the STAR-ABP partnership in a region known for its high pattern of news consumption. As India’s first national 24-hour all-Bengali news channel, STAR Ananda will bring a new level of vibrancy and diversity to news coverage tailor-made for this unique market.”

For further information, please contact:
Rashmi Naik / Navin Tauro
Vaishnavi Corporate Communications
022 5656 8787 / 43 / 08