The Star Television channel will locate a second base in Karnataka, besides outsourcing software for its new electronic commerce and multimedia initiatives, News Corp chairman Murdoch announced today.

Murdoch was in the city to explore investment opportunities and, following his meeting on Monday morning with Karnataka chief minister SM Krishna, said that he was keen on expanding his Star TV production network in the country for which Bangalore would be one of the key centres after Mumbai.

Murdoch said his group would make large investments in India to expand the network. The expansion plans would include the introduction of six main Indian language TV channels besides its foray into IT and multimedia, education, data and commerce initiatives that are expected to commence by April, he said.

According to Krishna, Murdoch felt thatBangalore (with its developed IT sector) was an ideal place for a second base especially since Mumbai was already overcrowded. The state government would offer all necessary assistance for Murdoch's ventures in the state, he said.

``The technology and the talent is available here and this is where the action is,'' Murdoch said.

Krishna admitted that Murdoch's announcement would give a major boost to the city drawing worldwide attention. ``I am satisfied with the discussions we had,'' he added.

However, sources in the chief minister's office said the media moghul was ``not very specific'' about his plans for Karnataka in general and Bangalore in particular. ``He did not discuss any specific plans with CM and he only informed the CM about his interest in the state,'' the sources said.During his stay in the city, Murdoch also visited the offices of various information technology companies, including Infosys Technologies Limited, Wipro and Microland.