The Hindu Business Line : Al Jazeera awaits Centre’s nod for roll-out in India

The Qatar-based international media network Al Jazeera is hopeful of launching its English language news-cum-documentary channel in India by March this year. An application for a licence to launch the channel has already been filed last year, according to Mr Anmol Saxena, Bureau Chief (India) of Al Jazeera International.

Speaking to newspersons at the Cable TV Show 2008 here on Monday, Mr Saxena said the infrastructure for roll-out of the channel was ready and only the Centre’s permission was awaited.

According to him, Al Jazeera has a strong presence in West Asia, Europe and Latin America. The channel would soon be launched in Hong Kong, where clearance was received two weeks ago. The channel will also be launched in Singapore and Israel following a tie-up with a major DTH distributor in that country.

Ms Diana Hosker, Regional Distribution Head of Al Jazerra English, said the channel had a global viewership of 100 million, including 20 million in the UK. “India is a key market in our distribution footprint. We cannot claim to be a global channel without a presence in India,” she said.

Mr Pawan Jajodia, Chairman of the Cable TV 2008 Exhibition Committee, said the Cable TV Show has, over the years, emerged as the largest event of its kind in eastern India. This year, products and services of over 45 international vendors — representing the US, Europe, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Dubai, Korea and the SAARC countries — would be showcased at the Cable TV Show 2008.

Over 10,000 cable operators, traders, manufacturers, channel partners, distributors, broadcasters and MSOs are expected to attend the Cable TV Show 2008, Mr Jajodia said. Al Jazerra was the main sponsor of Cable TV show 2008, he said.