MUMBAI: The Subrata Roy promoted Sahara group has another news channel in the offing. This time the group is targeting the southern market with the new channel to be called Sahara Samay South. The group has been planning to pump in an additional Rs 2 billion (RS 200 crore) to fund the expansion plans.

The Sahara group, which has unparalleled network spread across the country, is gearing up to launch Sahara Samay South, which will beam in English, for southern viewers. The news channel is slated to be launched in the next three months, provided distribution and programming details fall in place by then.

While confirming the Southern foray, company sources said the group is not open to beaming in programmes in any of the southern languages. Given the fact that Sun TV has a strong foothold in the southern market, it will not be logical to venture into that market with the same language and make thecompetition tough.

Keeping in mind that the distribution team is still being formed, the sources did not disclose the launch date of the channel and refused to name the professionals who will form part of the core team.

Like the other regional channels from the Sahara bouquet, Sahara Samay Jharkhand, Sahara Samay Uttaranchal, Sahara Samay Bihar, Sahara Samay South will also telecast local news from all parts of the southern states.

The channel will broadcast hard news and showcase lifestyle programmes and local business news, which will form part of the programme line-up.

Interestingly, while media czar Kalanithi Maran of Sun Network will expand into the Bangla market, the Sahara India Media Communication is looking at spreading its wings in the southern market.