The announcement is part of Jain's comeback bid into electronic media which also involves the company's foray into internet services and e-commerce.Jain told reporters that programming will include round-the-clock news bulletins in different Indian languages. The channel also plans to air unedited press conferences of various political parties. A special feature will be full-length speeches of top political leaders, he said.

The channel will air analysis, surveys and research conducted through the internet and telephone and opinion polls undertaken by other agencies. Other programmes include constituency profiles, field reports and debates.

An online ticker will scroll at the bottom of the screen flashing headlines and break news as it happens, he said. To make the channel interactive, a website (www.Jaintv.com) is also being launched simultaneously. The channel will be beamed via a transponder on the Thaicom-3 satellite which already beams several other India-specific channels.

Dispelling doubts over the viability of the channel, Jain said the worldover, news-based channels are the largest revenue earners. India, too would be no different, he said.

Jain insisted that the news channel will not be tagged to any political party. Unlike his earlier foray into electronic media when Jain had tied up with some non-resident Indians, this time both programming and distribution will be handled by Jain's own outfit.

Speaking to The Financial Express, Jain said the launch of the news channel is part of his plans to enter the internet services business. Jain Studios already has an ISP licence and has applied to the government for setting up gateways. Jain said the company will go for its own uplinking in another six month's time. Before it is able to put its uplinking centre in place, the channel will make use of VSNL's facility, he said.

He said the company is in the process of chalking out a 10-year business plan for its latest foray into the electronic business and future entry into internet business.

Jain said the channel will leverage on the brand value created by his earlier foray into electronic media. He said unlike other news-based channel, Jain TV's news channel is being targeted at the common man. STAR, Zee and Doordarshan are the other players in the market offering news-based channels.

Jain was confident that the channel will be able to create a separate identity for itself. "Elections are just the starting point and even after elections the channel will continue to be niche-oriented and air news and current affairs programmes," he said. He did not rule out a foray into telecasting sports programmes.