ABP plans Gujarati news channel

It is also expected to launch a Punjabi news channel soon

Media behemoth ABP Group is planning to launch a Gujarati news channel to enhance its presence in the regional news channel market, according to a senior member of the company’s management. This is the company’s first expansion move after it offloaded its Businessworld magazine in September 2013.

It is also expected ABP’s Punjabi news channel will go on air soon. “We are almost adequately quipped to take the Punjabi channel on air; we are very keen on a Gujarati news channel,” an ABP management official told Business Standard on condition of anonymity.

When contacted, ABP Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer D D Purkaystha said the Punjabi news channel could be launched any time.

WIDENING HORIZONS

• This is the first expansion move after ABP group offloaded its business magazine Businessworld  during September 2013
• ABP group broadcasts three popular 24-hour news channels — ABP News in Hindi, ABP Ananda in Bengali and ABP Majha, in Marathi
• In fact, ABP is also ready with its Punjabi news channel, which is expected to go on air soon
• Analysts pointed out that the regional space is the next growth driver for media companies
• ABP group has large exposure in the print media with a Bengali daily, Anandabazar Patrika, English daily, The Telegraph, among others publications

He however, refused to comment on the group’s plan for a Gujarati news channel.

After buying Rupert Murdoch-controlled STAR’s stake in Media Content and Communication Services, ABP Group now has three popular 24-hour news channels — ABP News (Hindi), ABP Ananda (Bengali) and ABP Majha (Marathi).

Sources said ABP had decided to retain its focus on the regional news market, as its experience in the regional general entertainment channel market hadn’t been rosy-— in 2011, it had to shut its 24-hour Bengali general entertainment channel Sananda TV soon after its launch.

Ashesh Jani, partner, Deloitte Haskins & Sells, said the regional space was the next growth driver for media companies, as demand for local news and content was growing.

“Also, subscription is growing in these areas. One has to look beyond metros and tier-I cities for recording higher growth,” Jani said.

ABP Group has large exposure to the print media space, with Bengali daily Anandabazar Patrika, English daily The Telegraph and several other publications.

According to an Angel Broking analyst, increasing ad revenues from local brands is one of the primary reasons behind media companies trying to enter the regional news space.

“A lot of local/regional brands are emerging across states in India. Of course, Gujarat is on that list. Unlike the south Indian market, which is already crowded, there is a lot of scope for everyone to grow in the rest of the regional market,” said the analyst.

Network 18-controlled, ETV Regional Channels is also coming up with news channels in Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, etc. It is expected these channels will go on air before the coming general elections.