MUMBAI: CCTV America, the US production arm of China?s CCTV News, has expanded its programming with the launch of a new two hour edition of Biz Asia America, 7 pm to 9 pm eastern standard time beginning 4 February.

CCTV America was launched on February 6, 2012 to provide both North American and global viewers, additional perspectives on China, world and U-S developments. The move was part of the effort by CCTV News to increase the quality, breadth, and reach of the its global news channel founded in April 2010.

The program combines business news with in depth global news reports from an increasing line-up of Correspondents across Asia, South America, Africa, and Europe. The increase in broadcast hours allows CCTV America to explore comprehensively global issues which other news channels treat in a repetitive, headline format.

The new programming team is anchored by Phillip Yin, Mike Walter, and Elaine Reyes in Washington and Michelle Makori in New York. Joining the CCTV America team, the newest addition is Anand Naidoo, former anchor at CNN International and Al Jazeera English.

Special segments of the new program will highlight developments in new technology with regular reports from Silicon Valley. The two hour program also increases CCTV News? commitment to coverage of Central and South America.

CCTV has also assembled a new team assembled in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo to explore the growth of Brazil. An expanded operation in Mexico City will complement a continuing presence in Havana, Buenos Aires, Bogota, and Lima to provide more extensive coverage of this region than any other English language news broadcaster.