Turner Intl in pact with Sardesai's channel

TV 18 India Ltd on Thursday said its group company, Global Broadcast News and Turner International have entered into a partnership for its soon to be launched 24-hour news channel in India.

Under the terms of the agreement, GBN's proposed channel, re-christened 'CNN-IBN' (formerly known as India Broadcast News) will have access to CNN's live breaking news and key feature programmes, TV 18 informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

CNN-IBN, will build upon the strong foundation of TV18's news gathering experience and infrastructure in India, backed by CNN's extensive global news network, TV 18 said in its statement.

The channel will be headquartered in New Delhi and will be supported by over 20 bureaux nationwide, it said.

"In a fast globalising India, access to CNN's global news network will add immense value for our audiences," Rajdeep Sardesai, editor-in-chief, GBN said. GBN, a TV18 group company, is a 74:26 joint venture between the TV18 group and professionals - Rajdeep Sardesai, Sameer Manchanda and Haresh Chawla.