Network18 plans overhaul of identity, logo

Raghav Bahl-promoted Network18 is set to overhaul the identity and logo of all its network channels.

The exercise, which is expected to be launched tomorrow, will align all channels with the group's symbolic suffix 18.

Confirming this, sources close to the development said the details of the proposed restructuring would be announced on September 9, which has the numerical value of 18.

According to the plan, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC-Awaaz will now be rechristened CNBC18 and CNBC-Awaaz18 respectively. Likewise, GBN, the broadcaster of CNN-IBN and IBN 7, will also undergo a similar change. A Bangalore-based company has been working on the new logo.

The group's business channels, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC-Awaaz (in Hindi), are in association with US-based NBC Universal. The channels in the general news segment, CNN-IBN and IBN 7, are in partnership with Time Warner and the Jagran Group respectively.

A few month ago, the group announced its plan to launch a Marathi news channel IBN-Lokmat along with the Maharashtra-based Lokmat Group of Newspapers, owner of Marathi newspaper Lokmat. The channel is likely to go on air by the year-end.

This move comes at a time when the group has major plans to expand its operations in the media and entertainment space. In May, the company formed a joint venture with US-based media conglomerate Viacom to launch a Hindi general entertainment channel and a bouquet of channels in other genres.

Besides, this year Network18 formed a film asset management company called the Indian Film Company (IFC). The partners, Viacom and TV18, will jointly invest in IFC, which is listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange.

While IFC will look at acquisition, distribution and other syndications, Studio18, the motion picture business of the group, will continue to produce films. The group also has strong presence in the internet space through its internet arm Web18.

Going forward, the company plans to explore new businesses to vertically integrate itself.