BRIEFS

DD TALKS TO MARKET RESEARCH FIRM ON RATINGS

State-owned broadcaster Doordarshan has approached market research agency ORG-Marg to come up with a viewership rating system, which truly reflects its popularity with viewers. It wants ORG-Marg to monitor television viewing in the hinterlands where cable and satellite channels don't have as much reach as it does. The monitoring in smaller towns and rural India could be in the form of a diary-based method as against peoplemeters, which have been installed in most large towns, it has been suggested. DD's in-house rating system doesn't find much custom with advertisers. A rating system run by an independent firm will lend a lot of credibility to DD's claims that it is still the most preferred television option amongst Indian viewers.

THE CHRISTIAN CHANNEL GETS CARRIAGE

The Christian Channel (TCC), which is run by the Trinity Broadcasting Network has started getting carriage on InCablenet in Mumbai. TCC is beaming off Agila-2 over Asia and is also on the Astra 1C satellite for European audiences. The channel which is carried over more than 540 broadcast stations has programming consisting of gospel songs, testimonials from celebrities and Christian believers, children's religious programming, Christian music videos, live Christian concerts and Bible readings. The channel earlier had an affiliation with a cable company in Chennai. InCablenet and TCC are slated to meet soon to come to an official arrangement.

ZEE MARKETING HEAD QUITS

Zee Telefilms senior vice-president (marketing) Rahul Kalia has put in his papers. He is believed to be joining Bates Dubai as vice-president & creative director. The ZTL management is looking for a replacement.

CARAT INDIA HEAD DENIES DEPARTURE REUMOURS

Carat India CEO Meenakshi Madhvani has denied rumours that she has resigned. "There is absolutely no truth to the gossip," she says. "My contract expires in 2002 and I am going to be here at least till then. Probably beyond that too," she says. The market was abuzz with the rumour that Madhvani was quitting when she made a visit to London recently.

SONY ENTERTAINMENT EYES NEW MARKETS

Sony Entertainment Television is keen on launching its service in new markets such as Canada, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand. Chief executive Kunal Dasgupta told a local newspaper that Sony would be introduced in these countries within the next three months. The channel will create special feeds for New Zealand and Australia while the US service will be beamed into Canada. Around $20-25 million is to be invested in each country where it is introduced, Dasgupta told the newspaper.

ZEE TV TO HOLD TRADE SHOW IN LONDON

Zee TV has got together with London-based Capital Media to organise a trade show, Zee TV Asia Live, in Wembley to display products from several Asian countries from 28 August to 30 August. The show will be covered on Zee TV along with the London International Jewellery & Watch exhibition.

STAR TV REVAMPS STAR PLUS

News Television India has rejigged the programming on the India-specific Star Plus. Under pressure from its India partner Zee TV's Subhash Chandra not to increase Hindi language shows, the channel has dumped close to half a dozen shows and replaced them with new ones. A local newspaper reported last week that the channel is to introduce more than 20 new shows on Star Plus India. Chandra has reportedly sent Star TV a legal notice on the increasing local content on Star Plus in violation of its agreement with Zee TV.