Subhash Chandra announces $250 mn fund for wellness network, Veria Living

Chandra notes that the establishment of the $250 million fund is yet another step in Zee Groups' strategic five-year plan to further expand Veria Living's presence in the US and beyond as the go-to-source for all things health and wellness

Even as the Essel Group-owned wellness network, Veria Living, readies for a re-branded makeover in January 2012, Subhash Chandra, chairman, Zee Group has announced the creation of a $250 million content development, production, co-production and acquisition fund for the network.

The New York-headquartered network is devoted to showcasing wellness programming and related content across multiple media platforms.

Chandra notes that the establishment of the $250 million fund is yet another step in Zee Groups' strategic five-year plan to further expand Veria Living's presence in the US and beyond as the go-to-source for all things health and wellness.

He said in an official communiqu�, "We are firmly committed to growing the Veria brand across television, Internet, mobile and OTT platforms. By focusing on original content development and production we're not only looking to build a broad US audience for Veria Living, but also setting the table for the expansion of the brand globally over the next couple of years."

For the record, Veria Living television network is available throughout the US on Dish Network, Verizon FiOS and Frontier Communications subscribers.

Meanwhile, Veria.com, the website, helps the network in extending the Veria Living philosophy through online recipes and nutrition, holistic health tips, body-mind conditioning and all-natural products.

Interestingly, the news comes on the heels of Veria's recent announcement regarding its new primetime programming line-up and launch of its new comprehensive website (www.Veria.com). The network also recently unveiled a new lifecycle logo combining Eastern influence with Western design (sunshine yellow and tangerine orange) and its new tagline � "Go Well".

Veria Living and Zee TV suite of Indian language channels are managed in the US by Asia TV USA and overseen by its CEO Suresh Bala Iyer.

Said Iyer, "We not only want to appeal to our core 35-44 adult and 25-54 women demos, but to all Americans who are looking to lead healthier lives. Veria Living helps them to achieve this b advocating for quality and vitality of life by following proven wellness and nutritional activities. This fund will go a long way towards helping us to achieve our goals while creating the most entertaining content possible that fits our mission."

Chandra founded Veria as way to promote wellness to the West.