NDTV to launch 24-hour news channel in Malaysia

New Delhi, Jul 19: Leading news channel NDTV will launch a 24-hour news channel in Malaysia by the year-end that is not India-related and is specifically for viewers of that country.

This will be on the pattern of "Astro Awani", a round-the-clock news channel in Indonesia which was launched by NDTV this quarter in partnership with Astro, a leading South East Asia media group.

''The new news channel in Malaysia will be launched by this year-end in partnership with Astro,'' Dr Prannoy Roy, Chairman of NDTV, said in a statement.

"Our news network's leadership in an environment of increasing competition reflects the strength and credibility of the NDTV brand and the trust our viewers place in us. Going forward, we remain focused on becoming a composite media house and will continue to pioneer new areas of media work,'' Dr Roy said.

The company has been ranked amongst India's 25 most trusted companies by a leading business magazine.

Yesterday, NDTV had announced a 54 per cent year on year (YOY) growth in revenues for first quarter of the current fiscal at Rs. 64 crore as compared to Rs. 41.5 crore in the same quarter of the previous year.

EBITDA (earning before interest, depreciation, tax and amortisation) for Q1 was pegged at Rs. 8.17 crore as compared to Rs.

4.26 crore in the same quarter of previous year, a growth of 92 per cent.

Further, PAT (Profit After Tax) and before ESOP has increased to Rs 2.7 crore as compared to Rs. 23 lakh in Q1 of the previous year.

The company comprises English news and Business news channels -- NDTV 24x7, NDTV India and NDTV. It has also maintained its position among the top two revenue earners in the Hindi news space.

The news channel said its first quarter robust topline growth has been reflected in the addition of 75 first time advertisers and 175 new brands this quarter taking the total brand and advertising universe to 2261.

UNI