Zee plans to expand its media base in the Arab world

Dubai, Mar 6 (UNI) India's film entertainment and media conglomerate, Zee, will launch a news and current affairs channel this year for Arab viewers from its Dubai base, the company's chairman said.

The group is also looking into opportunities of producing Arabic films in Dubai and Cairo, Zee Telefilms Chairman Subhash Chandra told Gulf News.

"We are exploring possibilities of launching a news-cum-business affairs channel for the region. It would be more of an international channel but, by and large, targeted at Arab populations," Mr Chandra said.

Its programmes will be available in Arabic as well as English, he said, adding Zee plans to launch the news channel in the third-quarter of 2007.

The channel is a part of Zee's strategy to expand its base in Arab countries and target more South Asian viewers across the world.

With the network currently running a dedicated Arabic music channel called Zee Arabia, Mr Chandra said it will also start an Indian film channel in Arabic.

In November last year, Zee had announced acquisition of 50 per cent stake in UAE-based Ten Sports. It said the investment was based on an enterprise value of 420 million Dhiram.

Zee is committed to spend 100 million dollars on growing its business in the UAE, out of which, Mr Chandra said an investment of 70 million dollars has already been made.

UNI