Zoom -- the entertainment and lifestyle channel from the Bennett, Coleman & Company stable -- is all set to beam internationally. The channel would be available on major television networks in Nepal, US, UK and the Middle East.
Said Apurva Purohit, chief operating officer, television division, Times Entertainment, "Within the next 15 days, we would be closing some international deals that would make Zoom available to the Indian diaspora as well."
Currently, Zoom is not being distributed under any channel bouquet. According to Purohit, the decision to be a standalone channel staying away from the bouquet concept was taken from a long-term perspective.
Since the television division of the company is launching a number of channels include a business channel and a spiritual channel, the company may have its own bouquet in the future.
She also denied Zoom striking any strategic tie-ups in the immediate future with any company or institution.
Citing the Connect TAM report, a company note said that Zoom's connectivity has taken off in the last two months and it can be watched in 22 million households out of the 43 million cable and satellite households in India at current level of about 50 per cent connectivity.
Said L V Krishnan, head of TAM Media Research, "A strong distribution network is encouraging for a channel. It means that viewers are able to try the programmes that the channel has to offer."
According to Krishnan, distribution ensures creating likeability for the programmes, which leads to increase in the time spent on a channel. This in turn results in a higher market share.
Purohit is targeting an additional 10-15 per cent increase in its connectivity. At a parallel level, the channel's content is also being strengthened.
The channel, which banked more on Bollywood-based programmes would now target the television industry.
The channel has over 40 advertisers and is looking to add 30 more within this quarter, Purohit said.
