A new Hindi news channel News Express is all set to roll

Headquartered in Noida, the channel is expected to be on air by the end of next month.

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | June 27, 2011

Pune based Sai Prasad Group of Companies is expanding its media business with a Hindi news channel, a weekly magazine and a broadcast media training institute under Sai Prasad Media Pvt. Ltd. With a turnover of Rs.1500 crore, Sai Prasad Group has been in the business of Foods, Properties, Finance, Infrastructure and Construction, Energy and Film production. The company is all set to launch its Hindi news channel which will start its test signals soon; however, the date of formal launch is not announced yet. The channel, headed by CEO and Editor Mukesh Kumar, will be headquartered at Noida. Kumar has earlier headed and launched 5 news channels like Sahara Samay MP and Chhattisgarh, S1, Voice of India MP-Rajasthan and recent being Maurya TV. He has worked with Subah Savere, Aapka and Parakh as anchor and content head. Kumar had also hands of experience in Print media with Maya and Naidunia.

These days where Hindi news genre is struggling with the content strategy, Kumar looked assured with his preparations. When asked about the reason why people will prefer News Express over other established channels, Mukesh Kumar told BestMediaInfo.com that his channel has technical and editorial USPs separately. It will be India's first news channel on High Definition (HD) while it will be the first channel to focus completely on politics. “Besides the special programming based on hardcore politics and politics in day to day life, we are coming up with short films and theatrical programming also,” added Kumar.

Kumar claims that the channel has state of art studios, world class news room and latest international technologies being used in media with the team of distinguished journalists available in the country. Currently the channel has over 300 people working across headquarter and 8 bureaus.

The channel has hired Ex-BBC and Sahara Samay Shyam Sunder as political editor while Sanjeev Chauhan will head the crime beaureau. Chauhan has earlier worked with Aaj Tak and Star News. Girish Juneja is the programming head of the channel while Shyam Salvi is heading the technical team. Manish Vajpayee, Shweta Srivastava and Amritanshu are the lead anchors of News Express.

News Express will be distributed on analog and DTH platforms both. Speaking to BestMediaInfo.com, Sudhir Mohan, General Manager – Distribution, said, “We have already signed the distribution deals with more than 100 regional cable operators and some big sized MSOs. We have the plan to launch on DishTV and other major DTH platforms.”

The marketing and Sales team of over 10 dedicated professionals is headed by Seharyar Khan. Khan informed BestMediaInfo.com that News Express will be launched with 360 degree marketing campaigns with a focus on outdoor, print and BTL. The channel is soon to announce its creative and media agencies.

Sai Prasad Media is also launching its weekly magazine titled Hum Vatan soon under its Editor Nirmalendu Saha. While media institute will be situated at Noida headquarter and will be headed by CEO Mukesh Kumar.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com