CNN to launch new South Asia channel

CNN is all set for the launch of its new South Asia channel on 3 July. The launch will see a new region-specific schedule, featuring a five hour prime-time block comprising of international and regional news bulletins presented by Anand Naidoo and the two new presenters Shihab Rattansi and Zain Verjee.

CNN International will also reschedule some of the network‘s most popular programmes for daily prime-time television viewing in South Asia including Biz Asia, CNNdotCOM, Style with Elsa Klensch, CNN Hotspots, the art club, World Beat, Business Unusual, Science & Technology and Earth Matters.

CNN International will introduce locally produced programmes on the South Asian channel by the fourth quarter of 2000. The programmes will be produced by local production companies and will be a part of the new channel‘s regional news bulletins and CNN‘s popular shows at prime-time.

The network will fully upgrade its current signal to the advanced digital mode, which, the network claims, will significantly improve the signal for local audiences. The CNNI South Asia signal will be available via the PanAmSat-4 satellite.