MUMBAI: NDTV’s Hindi general entertainment channel NDTV Imagine will go on air in January 2008.
With a line-up of fresh and distinctive programming, the channel is targeted at the entire television viewing audiences, from 6 to 60 across all demographics.
The channel will offer programming across genres, ranging from light-hearted family soaps to period dramas and from high voltage music and dance entertainers to the most glamorous events in the entertainment business.
NDTV Imagine’s production partners include Sagar Arts, Hats Off Productions, Rajshri Films, SOL, Sphere Origins, Endemol India, Synergy Adlabs, DJ’s A Creative Unit amongst others.
NDTV Imagine is spearheaded by Sameer Nair, with over 20 years of experience in the media and entertainment industry.
The management team includes Shailja Kejriwal, EVP- Content; Harsh Rohatgi, EVP- Revenue Management and New Ventures; Manoj Vidwans, EVP- Marketing, Research and Communication; Gaurav Gandhi, EVP- Business Operations and Ancillary Revenues and Kuljeet Singh, EVP – Broadcast Services and Facilities. Film director Karan Johar is a creative consultant and brand ambassador to this initiative.
Nair said, “In this competitive environment, the launch of NDTV Imagine heralds the return of the GEC, the return of family entertainment for the Entire family… bringing fresh ideas and concepts into Indian living rooms and once again, bringing the entire family together to watch television.”
NDTV chairman Dr. Prannoy Roy added, “This is a proud moment for us at the NDTV Group. The launch of this new channel is our next big leap towards our stated objective of becoming a global media power house. I believe that Sameer and his team will deliver on the promise and the programming, making NDTV Imagine the new entertainment destination for television viewers across the country.”
Adds Nair, “We hope our shows will speak for themselves. We have new ideas and we are working with the best production houses and the finest talent in the business. It is an exciting, explosive combination and we hope to create our best work yet.”
The line up of programmes on NDTV Imagine is as under:
Dramas
Dharam Veer (A period adventure) – A show about friendship, loyalty, rivalry creating innumerable adventures
Ek Packet Umeed (A drama) – A touching look at the individual lives and experiences of women who have fought adversity and have emerged winners
Jasuben Jayantilaal Joshi Ki Joint Family (A light-hearted drama) – a rib-tickling, heart- warming reflection of the hopes, dreams, joys and sorrows that this joint family experiences in their day to day life
Radhaa Ki Betiyaan Kuch Kar Dikhayengi (A drama) – A story that drives home the belief that daughters are a blessing. A proud mother instills the right values in her daughters and believes in their potential to excel in whatever they choose to do
Raajkumar Aaryyan (A fantasy love story) – A fantasy set in a time when magic, intrigue and illusion existed in the real world
Main Teri Parchhain Hoon (A drama) – An emotional story of a young girl who follows her conscience and tries to set right, the wrong she has unknowingly and unintentionally brought upon a family
Reality shows
Dhoom Macha De (A musical extravaganza) – A first-of-its-kind show that puts a group of well established professional singers on stage in a bid to find the country’s Best Live Performer. Hosted by Malaika Arora Khan, the show features Anaida, Baba Sehgal, Babul Supriyo, Devang Patel, Jaspinder Nirula, Jassi, Kamaal Khan, Richa Sharma, Sapna Awasthi, Suneeta Rao and Taz.
Nachle Ve With Saroj Khan (dance based) – Khan will teach the viewers all the jhatka’s and matka’s and dance like the stars.
