MUMBAI: American independent public broadcaster MHz Networks has launched Worldview. This is an internationally diverse programme stream for public television stations.

The new stream aims to attract globally aware viewers with a wide range of international programming blocks. These include World News, Foreign Affairs, International Mysteries, World Music, Sports, and Foreign Films, all of it in English or subtitled.

Worldview's creative brain Frederick Thomas says, "The idea is to make the world, and all its rhythms, opinions, textures, easier for Americans to understand. The channel will tell all of the stories about the world, good and bad, going beyond the usual tragedy stuff."

The evening World News block features newscasts from India, Taiwan, Japan, France and Germany, with Bolivian and Russian news being added in March, and Pan-African news by June. The World Music block features Strictly Global, with videos from across the globe and the Emmy Award-winning MHz Presents, which features artists from all genres of music, guests such as Floetry, The Chieftains, Sweet Honey in the Rock, Afro Celts, Suzanne Vega, and dozens more. The International Mystery block features iconic detectives from all over the world.

Another important audience for Worldview will be America's recent immigrants, who represent a wide range of countries. Thomas adds, "Through our experience in the Washington, D.C. market we know that immigrants will support this type of programming, and the stations that carry it, because they feel they have a stake in it, like an investment."

MHz plans to upload a weekly American-Diversity block of programming produced by ethnic producers across the country on the Worldview feed. In a nod to the largest group of recent immigrants, Spanish-speaking groups from Latin and South America, Worldview is presenting a Spanish-
language block of daily news and informational programming. Dialogue is Worldview's signature series in its Foreign Affairs block, while the Indian programming block on Worldview recognises the influx of South Asian immigrants to the US.

In Washington, MHz has been successful at raising on-air pledge dollars in at least six different languages: Mandarin, Arabic, Spanish, Vietnamese, Urdu, and French, and has
acquired significant local underwriting from businesses wishing to reach these viewers.