New Delhi, May 31: In an effort to increase its reach into Hindi-speaking homes, National Geographic Channel will be available in Hindi, beginning June 1. NGC will beam its special Hindi-block for four hours each day, seven-days a week. This will subsequently be increased to seven hours a day from June 9 onwards. In a statement issued on Wednesday the channel said it decided to "go Hindi"' following the overwhelming response to its one-hour Hindi block aired every weekend on Star Plus from April 2000.National Geographic Channel managing director Ward Platt said in a statement that the response to the channel from Indian viewers has been overwhelming. "After a phenomenal launch in India, we are now in our next exciting phase of growth. It is our endeavor to cut across the language barrier and provide our loyal viewers with quality programming," he said. The channel said that Hindi block programmes will be beamed during prime time between 6.30 PM and 8.30 PM and again between 10.00 PM and midnight.
The programming genres now available in Hindi will include Adventure One, On the Edge, Wild, Ocean Worlds, Violent Earth, People and Places. One program of special interest to Indian audience would be the Great Indian Railways. The program is an in-depth on the vast locomotive system that runs from the Himalayas in the north to the paddy fields of the south, the statement said.
National Geographic Channel entered the Indian market in July 1998 and claims to reach over 12 million homes. National Geographic Channel Asia is a business enterprise of National Geographic Television, Fox Entertainment Group, and NBC. Its programming covers natural history, science, adventure, wildlife and peoples of the world.
Copyright © 2000 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.