Sardesai's Broadcast News plans multiple channels in India

The new television venture formed by Rajdeep Sardesai, Sameer Manchanda and TV 18's promoter Raghav Bahl will be called Broadcast News. Both Sardesai, formerly managing editor of NDTV, and Manchanda, ex-CFO of NDTV, are strategic partners in this new venture.

A senior executive at CNBC TV18 confirmed that the new venture is planning to launch multiple news channels. While one channel will certainly focus on general news and India, the company is also looking at the viability of other news and information channels.

In an official communique, Rajdeep Sardesai said, “We believe that the Indian news market is rapidly expanding and there is an enormous potential for new media properties in this space. We believe this venture is ideally positioned to exploit and leverage these opportunities, and we hope to have the support and the goodwill of the Indian viewers.”

When agencyfaqs! contacted Sardesai for further details, the political journalist's comments were as cryptic as a politician's. He said, “We plan to take journalism to a new level. Although I do not know how successful we would be, but certainly we will give our best shot.”

He added that it would be premature to confirm about any development now, as the partners are still looking at the viability of several options.

For the record, both Sardesai and Manchanda quit NDTV last week. © 2005 agencyfaqs!