DUBAI — After its successful launch in India and the United Kingdom earlier this year, NDTV Imagine yesterday went on air in Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with an independent beam.
The region's first free-to-air entertainment channel will reach about 100 million homes through Pehla's Channel Number 61.
NDTV Imagine is the second product offering from the NDTV group in the Middle East, which had launched NDTV Arabia last year.
Announcing the channel's foray into the MENA region, Sameer Nair, CEO, NDTV Imagine, said, ‘Around 10 million of the residents in the Gulf region are expatriates who belong to the Asian sub-continent, mainly India and Pakistan. Currently in the region, there does not exist a dedicated free-to-air entertainment platform that provides fresh and insightful programming.’
‘NDTV Imagine recognises this need and plans to fill the void with innovative and entertaining programming. We have received a lot of positive feedback and plenty of requests to make the channel available in key international markets,’ he added.
Meanwhile, Indian fim director and celebrity television anchor Karan Johar yesterday said his new show will be ready for telecast by next year.
‘It would have elements of Bollywood and will be produced with new themes and ideas,’ said Johar while addressing the media in connection of the NDTV Imagine launch.