KolkataTV keen to expand

Kolkata TV is on an expansion spree with investments of more than Rs 20 crore flowing in from Associated Broadcasting Company Private Limited (ABCL), that owns TV 9.

In addition to a pan-India presence, Kolkata TV, the third ranked Bengali language channel, is planning a a Bengali general entertainment channel as well as opening a bureau in London.

Speaking to Business Standard, Tathagata Dutta, chairman and managing director of Kolkata TV, said, "We are planning a Bengali entertainment channel with an investment of around Rs 3 crore. We want to open a London bureau too with the same kind of investment."

According to Dutta, there are about 15 lakh Bengali-speaking population living in London who migrated from India or Bangladesh.

The channel in London will showcase community-based news, entertainment and work of these Bengali-speaking population living in London.

Dutta's channel in London will also look at association with a few local television channels in Bangladesh for regional feeds.

"India or Bangladesh-specific information will be of interest to people who have migrated to London from these locations," Dutta pointed out.

The bureau will be run by around 15 people and the channel will speak Bengali.

"We are also talking to a few direct-to-home and IPTV service providers in London to make the channel available on these platforms," Dutta added.

Dutta's Bengali entertainment channel will share regional feeds and jointly garner sales and advertising revenues from ABCL's TV 9.

TV9 is present in Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Gujarat, and is set for launch in Maharashtra.