By A Correspondent

TV9 Network has embarked on am expansion plan for both its linear television as well as digital news businesses. The expansion plan will kick off with the launch of TV9 Bangla, a 24X7 news channel in the dynamic Bengal news market early next year. That West Bengal is going to polls next year is obviously more than just a coincidence

Before the launch of TV9 Bangla, the network will unveil its digital offering, tv9bangla.com in December.

Commenting on the Network’s foray into West Bengal, Barun Das, CEO, TV9 Network, said: “Gopal Krishna Gokhale had famously said  ‘What Bengal thinks today, India thinks tomorrow’. But nearly a century later it would seem like that statement applies more to Bengal’s past than the present. An intellectually progressive state and exporter of the best talent to India and the world, we believe the state and its people still retain the wisdom and wares to make that its future as well.  Bengalis are the typical Argumentative Indian, they want to keep her ear to the ground and hence are naturally drawn to news. More importantly, Bengalis are proud of their language and largely consume news in their language. The discerning Bengali viewer will always have room for a neutral perspective and a balanced opinion. That’s the place in the Bengali heart and mind that TV9 Bangla aspires to occupy. We are here to strike the right balance with neutrality and a fair perspective forming the core of our operations. Our unbiased coverage and world class presentation will give teeth to the Fourth Estate in West Bengal.”

On the timing of the launch, Das said: “The state is already into election mode. Indirect canvassing has already started and the heat is building up. Given Bengal’s propensity for free flow of information, news viewership is bound to peak. We believe this is a perfect opportunity for TV9 Bangla to establish its credentials and win the maximum share of viewership and voice.”

The network has onboarded veteran journalist Anjan Bandyopadhyay as the editor of TV9 Bangla news channel. He was the editor of Zee 24 Ghanta and his last assignment was with ABP as its Editor-Digital. Hiring for both platforms is in full swing.  Amritanshu Bhattacharya has also joined as the Editor, TV9 Bengali Digital and will also serve as Managing Editor, Output, for the television channel. His last assignment was as an Associate Editor and Head of Digital of Zee 24 Ghanta.

It may be remembered that not too long ago, Das had made a success of Zee 24 Ghanta. Watch this space as he takes on his former channel.