MUMBAI: History TV18, a joint venture between A+E Networks and TV18, is launching its eighth regional-language feed, this time in Urdu.

In another major move, the factual entertainment channel has readied a local show to air for the first time. Titled The
Greatest Indian, the show will be in conjunction with CNN IBN and BBC Worldwide from whom the format rights have been bought. The initiative is on the lines of the greatest Briton where people vote for whom they think is their greatest Indian.

A+E Networks TV18 president Ajay Chacko believes that Urdu is not a small market; 27 million people watch Urdu content.

Indiantelevision.com had reported in January 2012 that the channel was planning to launch two more language feeds.

History TV18 channel has the widest regional language spread. The other language feeds include Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi, Hindi, English and Gujarati.

The aim of the local show is to celebrate the idea of India and its diversity. Said IBN18 editor in chief Rajdeep Sardesai, "We want to find out who people think is the greatest Indian after 1948 since Mahatma
Gandhi. People can compare greats of the past to the present like Sunil Gavaskar to Sachin Tendulkar and Jawaharlal Nehru to Manmohan Singh. The aim is to have fun, entertaining and informative content.

AETN 18 programming head Ritu Kapur said that pre-production work has started and the initiative will kick off in April. There will be debates and discussions.

?History Har Din? is a social media initiative and a site has been created, historyhardin.in.com, which went live today. People can upload photos and videos where they feel that they have made history.

"History is personal. A woman might feel that she has made history with the birth of her first child, for instance. People can share their stories and experiences. We hope to create vignettes which will air on the
channel. We are doing a lot of social media marketing to push this initiative. We are also using our own channels. We will use themes. For instance when the IPL is on, we could ask people to share their experiences in terms of history being made at the IPL" said Kapur.

The channel?s brand ambassador Salman Khan, who was present at a pres conference here, uploaded a photo of himself on a horse. "People who have a made a big contribution to humanity qualify for being The Greatest Indian like Mother Theresa," he said.

Also Read:

History TV18 plans to add two language feeds, boost rev

MUMBAI: Ten Sports will be telecating live and exclusive the Nokia Champions League T20 in Pakistan.

ESPN Star Sports, the global commercial rights holder of the Nokia Champions League T20, has awarded the broadcast rights for the Pakistan territory to Zee-controlled Taj Television, the company that owns and operates Ten Sports.

The tournament takes place from 19 September to 9 October.

Taj Television CEO Atul Pande said, "We are extremely happy to acquire the rights for one of the most fascinating T20 Leagues in the world. Top cricket clubs from around the world, comprising top rated T20 players, will compete in this month-long tournament. Ten Sports will be telecasting all the 29 matches live and exclusive for viewers in Pakistan."

ESS senior VP, corporate development/cricket rights Anurag Dahiya said, "We are delighted to partner Ten Sports to showcase the Nokia Champions League Twenty20 in a passionate cricketing nation and major powerhouse in the sport. Cricket fans in Pakistan can look forward to our world-class production and presentation package, having lined-up many innovative production initiatives and our specialist commentary team of international cricketing legends and experts from top cricket-playing nations for all the matches."

ESS? coverage of the Nokia Champions League Twenty20 includes a line-up of cricket experts consisting of Harsha Bhogle, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Kepler Wessels, HD Ackerman, Ian Chappell, Tom Moody, Ian Bishop and Alan Wilkins.

The start of the main tournament will be preceded by a qualifier for the first time from which three teams will progress to the main round to compete with seven others. The qualifiers will be held in Hyderabad between September 19 and 21, while the main tournament will be spread across three cities - Chennai, Bangalore and Kolkata.