Aaj Tak, Headlines Today set foot in Canada

TV Today Network has joined hands with Rogers Communications Inc to launch the two news channels in Canada; Ethnic Channels Group will distribute the channels.

In a bid to expand its international footprint to tap the Indian diaspora, TV Today Network (TVTN) has joined hands with Rogers Communications Inc to launch Aaj Tak and Headlines Today in Canada.

Headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Rogers Communications Inc specializes in the field of wireless communications and cable television, with additional telecommunications and mass media assets. It is also Canada's leader in multicultural television programming.

As part of the agreement, Aaj Tak and Headlines Today will be available free to Rogers Digital Cable customers in Ontario as an introductory offer for the first two months, after which they will be available a la carte. Currently, Aaj Tak and Headlines today are available to Rogers Digital Cable customers on Channel 841 and Channel 842.

Speaking to afaqs!, G Krishnan, ED & CEO, TV Today Network states, "The channels are currently on a free view for two months, post which the best packaging and prices would be decided. The content strength would be leveraged to reach out to maximum subscribers."

"We have been targeting opportunities in international markets with a sizeable Indian diaspora. Canada has a fairly large South Asian population and we plan to service this need gap by launching our channels. Aaj Tak and Headlines Today are immensely popular in the US and this is a logical extension for us," he adds.

Additionally, Ethnic Channels Group (ECG) -- a Canadian television broadcasting, distribution and communications company that specializes in multicultural television channels for the Canadian and American markets -- has been awarded the exclusive distribution rights for TVTN Channels in Canada.

Krishnan says, "Ethnic Channels Group is the content provider. It is the exclusive distributor for TV Today channels in Canada. They have the rights to negotiate for launch on platforms, both cable and DTH. They are one of the largest license holders for ethnic content in Canada."

Adds Hari Srinivas, president, Ethnic Channels Group, "With news being such an important aspect in everyone's life in today's ever changing world, the launch of Aaj Tak and Headlines Today will certainly cater to this need."

Aaj Tak is already available in the US, the UK, Middle East, France, Japan, Maldives, Australia and Nepal.

Recently, Times Television Network also inked a distribution agreement with Asian Television Network International (ATN) to push its English news channel Times Now, English business news channel ET Now and Bollywood entertainment channel Zoom into the Canadian market. The channels are expected to start beaming early next year, after they receive regulatory approvals from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC).