MUMBAI: This week, France 24, the international English news channel has lined up a number of shows that are focused on India, as part of its campaign to boost viewership in the country.

 The channel launched on two DTH platforms earlier this month - DD Direct+ and Dish TV making it available to an additional 31 million households in the country. Seven million homes already receive it through cable.

A cultural show depicting the Rajasthan International Folk Festival, 100 years of Indian cinema and Indian gastronomy along with three personalities speaking - fashion designer Ritu Beri, actress Nandita Das, Impresario restaurant CEO Gresham Fernandes - was telecasted yesterday with repeats throughout today.

A debate on ‘at the heart of the next world power’ will see the likes of HRD minister Shashi Tharoor, BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitaraman, founder of Kali Urvashi Butalia and Sunstone Business school co-founder Rajul Garg on the show tonight. Interviews with Godrej group chairman Adi Godrej, screenwriter Anand Gandhi, JSW Steel chairman Sajjan Jindal and Future Group CEO Kishore Biyani will be shown this week.

Reports on the rollout of the UIDAI (Unique Identification Authority of India) in the country and an online platform called Digital Green will also be a part of their upcoming FCP (Fixed Chart Point).

The channel wants to make a space for itself in the heart of Indian audiences. The channel was officially launched in Delhi yesterday.