Geo News sets eyes for Q1 2007 launch

Pakistani broadcaster Geo is all set to launch a new channel early next year, BizAsia.co.uk can confirm.

Geo News will specialise in news coverage round the clock unlike the current Geo UK channel, which showcases a mixture of news and entertainment programmes. It is not yet known whether the Geo UK channel will reduce its news content to make way for the new channel.

According to a source, Geo News will make its official launch on Sky Digital within the first quarter of 2007.

Geo News currently broadcasts in parts of Asia. Its arrival in the UK will no doubt intensify the competition between Pakistani news rival ARY One World and Indian news channels NDTV 24/7, South Asia World (CNN-IBN), STAR News and the forthcoming Aaj Tak.