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The Prannoy Roy-promoted NDTV has deferred the launch of both its channels. The launch date for NDTV 24X7 and NDTV India has now been fixed at April 14 from the earlier April 1.
According to sources close to the channel, the launch has been deferred owing to lack of permission for uplinking from the information and broadcasting ministry.
A company source confirmed the development, but denied that the launch has been postponed owing to lack of permissions from the I&B ministry.
He said, "NDTV is well within the guidelines laid down by the I&B ministry so the permission is not an issue".
He further added, "The plan is to strategically avoid a launch amidst all the clutter. Most of our journalists and the technical staff have been busy with providing content for STAR News, which will continue to be on air through NDTV till 31st March.
"The channel has had little time to test on air the new high tech systems, graphics and also to internally do a dummy run of all the new exciting programming formats so that the launch is a smooth affair.
"Needless to mention, our contract with STAR runs till 31st March, which leaves us with very little time for our marketing activity to promote the two new channels."
Sources close to the company informed that NDTV has an uplinking licence and has acquired a teleport through which they will uplink the two channels.
Both the channels NDTV 24x7 (English) and NDTV India are likely to have distinct identities, in term of content, style presentation and on air looks.
Internally, the mood at NDTV is upbeat. Top journalists have been relocated from Delhi to Mumbai.
These include: Srinivasan Jain ( chief of bureau in Mumbai), Abhigyan Prakash, Shivnath Thukral (business editor in Mumbai), Nikhunj Dalmia, Barnali Mukherjee, Radhika Bordia and Sonali Verma It is also understood from sources that the channel has its programming strategy in place.
The company has undertaken a major expansion drive whereby it is shifting its focus to Mumbai, thereby elevating Mumbai's status to a national news hub parallel to New Delhi.
NDTV now plans to produce and directly telecast specialised bulletins through the day from Mumbai. This would then culminate in to two prime time newscasts, one in Hindi and the other in English to integrate Mumbai into the national news.
It is also understood from industry sources that through the day, NDTV will go live from Mumbai with its business news, which includes stock market specials, a metro show, a crime watch, entertainment and Bollywood news.