Ukraine news, Times Now Navbharat, Zoom on Freeview
March 31, 2022
Channelbox has partnered with Times Network, the Indian broadcast network, to launch Times Now Navbharat and Zoom on Freeview UK.
Times Now Navbharat offers coverage of national and political news in Hindi language, whilst Zoom presents interactive and entertaining content including music, Bollywood news, trends, lifestyle and fashion.
“We are honoured that the largest Indian media company Times Group has selected Channelbox as their way to the UK audiences. Channelbox hosts over 30 TV channels in English and also has something for various diasporas living in the UK including Arabic, Greek, French and now Indian communities and we will keep expanding the line up to cater for every community living in the UK”, said Tanya Kronfli, Channelbox Head of Content and Business development.
Jagdish Mulchandani, COO and Executive President, Times Network, added: “We are delighted to partner with Channelbox to launch our best-in-class Hindi News and Entertainment channel on Freeview. Solidifying our international presence and delivering world-class TV viewing experience to viewers across the globe, we are now excited to expand our reach in the UK market with our compelling brands, Times Now Navbharat which has made a big impact in the Hindi News space with its innovative content formats and Zoom, a legacy brand that has risen to become India’s one-stop youth entertainment destination. I am confident that our channels will be an enriching addition to the discerning viewers seeking premium Indian content.”
Additionally, the Ukrainian news channel has also gone live on Freeview via Channelbox. The news and information channel is produced jointly by the 1+1 International, Rada, Ukraine 24, Inter +, ICTV, UATV, and Suspilne media companies. Its purpose is to provide accurate and impartial news from across Ukraine, and to debunk disinformation and fake news that is being propagated about events in the country. The news service is also a vital link with home for the estimated four million Ukrainian citizens who have fled the country as the war has spread.
Kronfli, Channelbox Head of Content and Business development, said: “We are honoured to be part of this project and to be able to help people of Ukraine to have access to the news from home. This is true lifeline broadcasting and demonstrates the way that modern technologies like connected TVs are able to support people at times of crisis.”
“The Association for International Broadcasting has been working since the start of the invasion to bring the Ukrainian news channel to platforms in the UK,” added Simon Spanswick, chief executive of the AIB. “We wanted to make a contribution to support Ukraine and its citizens. Bringing Ukraina 24 to viewers in the UK, whether expatriates or refugees, helps maintain links at the most difficult times of their lives. We are delighted that Channelbox is the first UK platform to make the channel available on a mainstream UK TV platform.”