Turner plans to increase headcount, launches new channel in India

Turner Entertainment on Wednesday said it plans to increase its headcount in India. The company also launched its English entertainment channel, called WB, in collaboration with its group company Warner Brothers.

Turner Broadcasting Systems Asia-Pacific president Steve Marcopoto said, "We have put a freeze on hiring on all other markets. But in India we will be increasing our headcount for the two new channels that we have launched."

Turner launched its Hindi entertainment channel Real in collaboration with Miditech on March 2 and plans to launch the English language entertainment channel on March 15.

Mr Marcopoto did not specify the exact number of people the company is looking to hire but only said the numbers are significant.

Talking about the India market, Warner Brothers International Television president Jeffrey R Schlesinger said, "India is a key market for us and together with HBO we will expand Turner’s English entertainment package."

The company, which has interests in the broadcast, movie production and merchandising business in India, was also planning to launch an amusement park in partnership with real estate developer Unitech.

"That is the only part of the business that has been impacted because of the economic slowdown and has got delayed," added Mr Marcopoto.