The Hindi entertainment television sweepstakes is hotting up and Sahara TV aims to be very much there on the viewerscope. After November‘s launch of four new shows, the new year is going to see more offerings from the Sahara stable. Next month will see the launch of Jayate (winner), a show which is a reversal of its celebrated Haqeeqat (reality) in that it focuses on good cops and the sacrifices they make in the line of duty. Haqeeqat, which was introduced in June, has had quite an impact. Hosted by film director Mahesh Bhatt the programme was a breath of fresh air in an environment dominated by likeminded soap opera‘s. It dealt with true incidents of human rights violation by lawmakers. It was produced by Anuradha Prasad?s BAG Films, for Sahara India Media Communications Ltd (SIMCL) and directed by Sourabh Narang. Jayate will be followed by Fateh (victory) which trains its guns on war heroes.

Next up on the channel‘s new offerings list is Har Mode Pe (at every turn), a daily soap. Sahara TV vice-president (publicity, promotions & PR) Priya Raj says there is even more coming from the Sahara cupboard but the shows are still being conceptualised. They run the gamut of genres and should provide telly buffs with plenty of food for thought, Raj promises.

Meanwhile, the channel claims that two serials it launched in November Apnapan and Zindagi? Teri Meri Kahani have drawn an excellent response. Both centre on the family and the channel claims that the immense popularity of these two programmes has helped it increase its viewership base. Apnapan shows from Monday to Friday at 1:30 pm and 11 PM Produced by SIMCL, Apnapan is directed by Chander Behl & V Menon. Veteran film actors like Kiran Kumar, Pramod Mautho, Shagufta Ali star.

Zindagi? Teri Meri Kahani airs every Friday at 10:30 PM It shows how today‘s society is more individualistic in nature. So the need for self identity is important. The story deals with marital discord. Produced by AV Telefilms, Zindagi? Teri Meri Kahani stars veteran actor Arun Govil who played Ram in Ramanand Sagar‘s Ramayana. Other stars include Rohini Hattangadi, Priya Tendulkar, Savita Prahune, Parmeet Sethi and Raju Samtani.

In less than three months, the Indian government will permit 26 private TV channels to uplink locally, if I&B minister Sushma Swaraj is to be believed.

Zee‘s bouquet of seven channels is likely to be among the favoured channels. Currently, only Sun TV and Jain TV are uplinking from India. ETC‘s plans of a teleport near Mumbai with Thaicom‘s help to enable local uplinking have been put on hold following reports that Thaicom is trying to enter India on its own.

Addressing a select group of PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industry in the capital on Friday, Swaraj said the decision to permit the channels to uplink locally is ‘in line with the recent policy decision of the government.‘ PHDCCI president Arun Kapur says the world of broadcasting and telecasting is undergoing major changes with rapid changes in technology. "The policy framework of the government in this regard should also include conducive tax and fiscal environment," Kapur has been quoted as saying in the Hindustan Times

The chamber of commerce has asked the government to encourage self-regulatory mechanism through self-regulatory organizations that would help in healthy growth of the sector.