The leader of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) points out that many of the 70-odd TV channels in the country are biased towards certain kind of ideologies and indulge in obscene portrayal of women in ads. Muneer told the mediapersons that the channel will be beamed into the air by March 2001 and the trial telecast will take place in January. Of the total project cost of Rs 80 crore, equity share will constitute Rs 40 crore while the rest would be mobilised from the public.

The company has tied up with Sony TV, the second largest profit making channel in the country, for technological and marketing support.Besides, Sony has also been given a proposal for picking up 10 per cent equity stake in the proposed channel. "The director board of Sony is to meet on July 27 to discuss the issue," Muneer said. A formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sony will be signed shortly. The face value of shares, given by way of private placement route, is Rs 10.The maximum limit of equity an individual can pick up will be 10 per cent and a minimum of Rs 1000 shares.

Among the 10 member-director board of the company is renowned film director M T Vasudevan Nair who will head the programmes committee. The programme mix of the channel will be in the ratio of 40 per cent news, 40 per cent entertainment and 20 per cent infotainment. As part of fund raising mission, Muneer had undertaken a trip to Saudi Arabia. "The response from the expatriate Malayalees was very encouraging," he said adding that he plans to undertake another trip to Qutar and Bahrain soon. The company will go after three years of telecast launch.