IP-TV channel targets overseas Indians

 NEW DELHI  - A new Internet-based television channel targeting millions of people of Indian origin living overseas will focus on specific interests such as investment opportunities in India, its founders said.

Hosted on www.IndiaTVLive.com, PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) TV will offer news, business, sports, segments on lifestyle, cuisine, culture and bollywood, India Broadcast Live (IBL) owners said at the launch of the channel late on Thursday.

There are more than 25 million people of Indian origin living overseas in Britain, the United States, Canada, South Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and Australia, according to ministry for Overseas Indian Affairs.

"PIOs don't want to be bogged down with all the nitty-gritty, detailed news that you get on the Indian channels, they want a broader, more general yet practical view on India," IBL founder Munish Gupta said.

"The want to know about things like investment opportunities, political stability, how safe it is to travel there and general lifestyle news on culture, fashion and cuisine," he said.

IBL officials say the Web site will also host other local Indian channels, all of which viewers will pay a monthly subscription ranging from between $2 and $6 per channel.

There are currently five other channels on the site, including state-run Doordarshan TV, two stations from India's northeastern region, a healthcare channel and a channel from the eastern state of West Bengal.

The company plans to run other regional channels especially from states like Punjab and Gujarat -- where many PIOs originally come from -- to allow viewers to hear news in their original language and get specific news from their state.

IBL says the Web-based channel can be viewed using mobile phones and Internet connections, although a speed of at least 256 kbps is necessary for it to work effectively.

"I think this is a good idea as it's all about connecting Indians around the world," said Vyalar Ravi, the minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, at the inauguration of the channel.

"Overseas Indians want to know about their country and this will help bridge the gap between India and them."