Zee network set to launch its first two high-definition channels

Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd (ZEEL) is all set to launch its first high-definition (HD) channels in the country. The group is planning to launch the HD versions of an English general entertainment channel and of the Hindi movie channel, Zee Cinema.

The group is awaiting an approval from the government to go ahead with the launch of the two channels, after which it will work towards the distribution strategy and details of the content mix for the two channels.

According to industry sources, the channels are expected to go on-air within two months. While Zee Cinema will continue to exist, Zee Cinema HD will be introduced to satiate the needs of HD TV users.

The company is busy working on the programming of both channels. "None of the movies in the library of Zee Cinema are HD enabled. They have to be converted into HD format before they are shown on air," says the source about the Hindi movie channel.

According to the source, both the channels will be available on any HD-enabled platform that wishes to carry them, besides being available on the company's own DTH platform, Dish TV.

It is to be noted that recently, Dish TV presented FIFA World Cup in HD format.