TV18 launches ETV News Kannada

The launch marks the broadcaster's attempt to extend its reach to the remotest corner of the country.

TV18 has launched a Kannada news channel under its ETV Network bouquet of channels.

Called ETV News Kannada, the channel was launched yesterday in a ceremony held in Bengaluru and saw chief minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah grace the occasion.

The launch marks the broadcaster's attempt to extend its reach to the remotest corner of the country. It had launched ETV News Bangla on March 10 and its Gujarati news channel ETV News Gujarati is slated for launch on April, 30.

Jagdeesh Chandra, head, ETV News Network, says the network follows the "news only" concept and will cover welfare and developmental news in depth. In order to assure relevance and freshness of content, the channel has roped in a number of specialised journalists, who will explore and put in non-biased and real time information, keeping the channel's strengths intact.

The channel has planned an extensive coverage with 224 specialised people being appointed for the 224 assembly constituencies in the state, which no other channel has done. That, the channel believes, is its USP.

Rajesh Raina, group editor, ETV News network, mentions that the ETV Hindi news channels have been functioning for more than a decade now and the company is fortunate enough to gain popularity as the voice of a common man by disseminating fresh and strong content. "Therefore, this is a perfect time for us to enter into more such regional markets, where there is a strong need of delivering regional news content," he adds.

According to G N Mohan, regional bureau head, ETV News Kannada, the channel will be the prime source of regional information for the local audience.

The channel was kick-started with its flagship show, Kannada Nadi, as there is Election Specific: Election Satire, along with other debates and discussions.

"ETV channels have turned out to be the voice of masses, assuring in-depth coverage of all the regional happenings in the region-specific bulletins. By launching a new regional channel for the Kannada audience, ETV will assure that the local audience here can relate to the channel in an essential and effective way," says Chandan Kapoor, head, marketing and brand, ETV News Network.

ETV has a bouquet of 14 regional channels, including ETV Telugu, ETV2, ETV Bangla, ETV Marathi, ETV Kannada, ETV Odia, ETV Gujarati, ETV Urdu, ETV Uttar Pradesh, ETV Rajasthan, ETV Bihar, ETV Madhya Pradesh, ETV News Bangla and ETV News Kannada.