India’s 24/7 news channel Times Now is entering the UK market as part of the Sky DTH bouquet.
The channel plans to launch in other European markets, including France and Germany, by next year. Announcing the UK launch of Times Now, M. K. Anand, CEO and managing director of Times Network, said, “Times Now has had a dream journey in India where it is has remained a leader in the English news space for the past seven years. The success of Times Now among the viewers here has encouraged us to launch it for the Indians who live abroad and want to keep completely abreast of all the important news of their country and its growing eminence in the world.
“The expansion of the channel in the UK market, for us, is the most important one since we launched in America in 2011, our International debut. UK is probably our biggest diaspora market. With this launch, we have just started building our presence in the European market and we intend to enter France and Germany too by next year.”
“Times NOW is not just another English news channel that is launching in the UK,” said Arnab Goswami, president and news and Editor-in-Chief, Times Now and ET Now.
“The channel is launching in the country because we want to give viewers in the UK a platform to voice their opinion. Times NOW will stay true to its tagline Action Begins Here and will encourage the viewers in the UK to take action and not wait for others to change their fortune. Times Now, in the UK will initially focus on Indian news. However, we will be developing original content eventually for the British and global audiences.”
Naveen Chandra, Head of international business, Times Network added: “With this launch, Times Network channels have rapidly reached over 80 countries in 5 continents in a little over 4 years. We are now building our local sales team and will enlist for BARB ratings soon. We have received encouraging feedback from advertisers with half a dozen clients already on board at launch. Our innovative marketing during PM Modi’s Wembley address is the start of our 3 phase marketing plan over the next six months to introduce the channel to the UK audiences.”
Times Now is owned by Times Global Broadcasting Co. Ltd., a Bennett, Coleman & Co service operating out of Mumbai. The channel can be viewed live outside of India on www.watchindia.tv with a broadband connection.
