Turner to launch two channels in India by year end

Mumbai, Apr 11 (UNI) Turner Broadcasting Systems has announced aggressive growth plans for India and is scheduled to launch two television channels in the country within this year.

Talking to newsmen here yesterday, Turner Broadcasting System Asia Pacific President Steve Marcopoto said the company planned to launch its animation theatrical business in India besides a separate channel for Hollywood movies, and a series' channel in partnership with its sister company, Warner Bros.

He said it was a strategic imperative for the company to expand its scope of activities and the breadth of its core channel offerings in India. ''These initiatives will further bolster our considerable presence in the existing market that is fast becoming our largest in the region,'' Mr Marcopoto added.

However, he declined to comment on the quantum of investments the company was planning in India.

Mr Marcopoto said, ''Our recent investment in Miditech and our Hindi GEC partnership with Alva Brothers, together with today's announcements illustrate the accelerated pace of our Company's activities in India and our long term view of the market's compelling potential.'' UNI VK RN SY DS1301