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Rajat Sharma's Hindi news channel
 India TV, the free-to-air Hindi news and current affairs channel, promoted by well-known television presenter, Rajat Sharma, went on air 24 hours beginning 7 a.m., May 20. The channel has been on air for the past four weeks with a three-hour Election Special covering the general elections. The much-awaited news channel hopes to set itself apart from the existing ones by setting new benchmarks of responsible journalism.
"Run by a highly motivated team, the channel will go beyond unbiased news coverage and address issues such as corruption, environment, crime, public safety and those concerning women. The channel will provide accurate information and objective analysis without resorting to sensationalism. Unique programming and editorial policy, backed by state-of-the-art technology, will lend 'India TV' a distinct edge over the others in the arena," its spokesman claimed.
Complementing and supporting the channel's own resources will be people known for their expertise in various facets of television journalism. Also on board will be personalities such. as investigative journalist Tarun Tejpal and environment activist Maneka Gandhi.
Speaking on the occasion of the launch, Rajat Sharma, chairman, India TV, said, "We aim to change the way broadcast news reporting is being conducted in the country. India TV will set new benchmarks by maintaining international standards of responsible and credible news reporting. We will stay away from graphic depictions of violence and sensationalism of news. We will uphold the viewer's right to correct information and their right to truth and verity. India TV is not just a news channel, it is a movement."
In his latest venture, Sharma is supported by his wife, Ritu Dhawan, who has 16 years of experience in TV production and broadcasting. She has been trained in news broadcasting at BSkyB, London. Speaking on the vision behind India TV, she said, "We have worked very hard to make India TV a world-class channel with an international feel. Yet, we have ensured that the soul of the channel remains Indian and its programming addresses the issues and interests of the average Indian."
The programming on India TV will incorporate in-depth analysis and minute-to-minute coverage of relevant issues. Twenty-minute news bulletins will be supported by 10-minute analyses of key events, every half hour. Forming one of the largest news-gathering networks in the country, India TV will have reporters stationed every 100 miles, and it will not limit itself to metro-centric news reporting. Instead, it will enter the heartland of India bringing news from the most neglected areas.
Some of the major attractions at India TV will include 'Aaj Ki Baat Rajat Sharma Ire Saath', a daily programme blending news reporting and analysis between 9 and 10 p.m., 'Jeene Ki Raah', a daily special bulletin on
environment and animal
welfare, anchored by Menaka Gandhi, and a daily bulletin called 'Aaj Ka Tehelka', exposing corruption at all levels, by Tarun Tejpal. Among the bouquet of programmes will be path-breakers like 'Aap Ki Adalat', Sharma's signature show.
Added Tarun Tejpal, "I had resisted the allure of joining TV till Rajat approached me to be a part of his team at India TV. Realising that the power of the visual medium can heighten the overall effect of an investigative story and leave a lasting impression on the audience, I agreed."
The channel will provide viewers with a world-class TV experience through its state-of-the-art
technology. The channel's broadcast centre at Film City in NOIDA, outside Delhi, is spread over 80,000 sq ft of space. It has fully automated digital newsrooms, and claims to be the first-of-its-kind in India. With four world-class studio floors equipped with multi-camera set-ups and computer-controlled lighting specially designed for 24-hour live news broadcast, India TV has the largest TV studio floor in Asia built especially on a mega-scale for audience-based shows like 'Aap Ki Adalat' and
'Awaaz'.
Further, for the first time in India, the network of reporters will use fibre optic links for video transmission. These fibre optic links will connect 110 stations to the broadcast centre to facilitate real-time transmission of news. The news-gathering network will also use mobile satellite vans and suitcase, dish antennas for sending video despatches from remote locations.
The free-to-air news channel will be beamed from the PAS 10 satellite, which also beams channels such as
Sony, Ten Sports, ESPN,
HBO, MTV,
BBC and CNN.
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