MUMBAI: The spiritual channel from the Bennett, Coleman stable has been christened Ananda and is expected to launch approximately 12 weeks after lifestyle channel Zoom goes on air.
According to Bennett, Coleman & Company Limited president Arun Arora, Ananda ahould launch around mid-December 2004.
While a business news channel is still 'far away', the launch of a music based 'lighter' channel from the BCCL stable is being firmed up six months from now, though no name has been finalised for it so far. "We are working on the format for the channel, but it is not being thought of as a Times Music addendum. Even our Planet M stores are not Times Music shops, they are more a destination store for all music companies. The spiritual channel will also be run at an arm's length from Times Music, while recognising and exploiting the synergies of existing Times products," says Arora.
The business news channel, which continues to build its team (with NDTV's Arnab Goswami roped in to head operations and a large chunk of the aborted Videocon channnel's team also among the recruits) is around nine months away. "We are looking at buying some space in Delhi too, we have shortlisted some 17 properties from which we are trying to finalise some for the channels," says Arora.