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NEW
DELHI : The National Geographic Channel Network today announced
its entry into High Definition television in India with the
launch of four new channels, but admitted that it was still
awaiting downlinking permission from the Information and Broadcasting
ministry.
Apart from the Network’s core Nat Geo channel which would
also be simulcast as Nat Geo HD, the other three channels
are Nat Geo Wild, Nat Geo Music, and Nat Geo Adventure. NGC
International (NGCI) Executive Vice President – Content
Sydney Suissa claimed that they were all different from other
channels of similar content being beamed into India.
NGC Managing Director – South Asia Nikhil Mirchandani
said at a press conference here that the channels were already
being aired in Asia and would be beamed into India within
weeks of getting the necessary permissions. He said the NGC
had applied some weeks earlier and had also commenced dialogues
with cable networks and direct-to-home service providers.
Details about subscription and revenue would be decided after
the clearance from the government.
The
core Nat Geo Channel has already been present in the country
for 11 years and is now being shot in HD format, though it
is beamed in the country in Standard Definition format. Mirchandani
said that the SD format would gradually
be phased out as people in the country switch to HD technology.
Suissa said that the music channel would have unique content
as it would not be based merely on renowned singers but would
also focus on local, indigenous and folk musical forms from
all over the world. It would have renowned artistes in its
Geo Sessions slot.
The other two channels – Adventure and Wild – would
also be unique in that they would go to places and show content
no other channels are showing at present. The Nat Geo Wild
will also attempt to highlight the message of preserving wildlife
and the planet, while Nat Geo Adventure works on the catchline
‘Lt’s Get Lost’. The Nat Geo Wild will have
around 350 to 400 hours of premiere programming while Adventure
will have around 250 hours.
Through the new channels, viewers will be able to access a
comprehensive and diverse bouquet of accurate, credible and
entertaining programming suitable for the entire family, Suissa
said.
Added Mirchandani: "The core channel will continue to
expand its successful contemporary science, technology and
exploration strands and will be clearly differentiated from
the specialist Nat Geo Channels. We are well-known for our
commitment to compelling programming across genres and we
feel that this is the right time to launch new channels that
will cater to the growing public appetite for high quality
television viewing. The plan is in alignment with the NGC
Network's strategy to offer its viewers a compelling offering
on the DTH platform.”
Noting that 95 per cent of all NGC programmes are already
shot in high definition format, Suissa said Nat Geo HD will
use enhanced picture frame composition, sharper picture quality
and surround sound system.
Mirchandani noted that India was one of the upmarkets for
NGC, which presently beamed to 160 countries. He claimed the
core National Geographic Channel continues to grow in viewership
and revenues.
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