INX Media gets foreign consults for TV foray

INX Media, the company set up by Indrani Mukherjea, the wife of ex-Star Group chief executive officer Peter Mukherjea, has roped in Nick Pollard, former headhoncho of Skynews, a UK-based news channel, and Richard Platt, former director of United Broadcasting and Entertainment, as consultant to advise it on its television foray.

Confirming the development, Indrani Mukherjea, chairman, INX Media, said, "Nick Pollard will work as a consultant for our 24-hour news channel, while Richard Platt will advise on the content and programming of our Hindi entertainment channel 9X."

"I am delighted to be involved in the exciting new venture. India is one of the most dynamic and fast-growing news markets in the world, and I believe the new channel will make an immediate and impressive impact," Pollard said.

INX Media will invest over $300 million to launch twelve news and entertainment channels. In the first phase, the company plans to launch one music, one Hindi entertainment and one news channel.

In the second phase, it will launch three regional channels, three regional music channels and three city-specific news channels.

"We aim to create a world-class news channel, and we are thrilled that one of the world greatest television news professional has agreed to help us," Vir Sanghvi, CEO, INX News, said.

Private equity firms Temasek Holdings, New Silk Route and New Vernon Private Equity Fund are investing in the new media group.

The Indian partners include Kotak Mahindra Capital and Srei.

Apart from being the chairman of INX Media, Indrani Mukherjea is also the executive director of the entity. According to industry sources, Peter Mukherjea will take over the CEO's post, which is currently lying vaccant.