Tamil Nadu - Chennai   

Internet protocol television to be launched on July 4

Staff Reporter

CHENNAI: Shakti Extratainment, the first Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) channel based out of Chennai and one of the very first from India, will be launched here at a cultural ‘Bani Festival’ to be inaugurated by N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu at 10 a.m. on July 4.

Film director K. Balachander will participate. The channel will be launched in California on June 30. It would offer shows on a “watch at will” basis, through a special IPTV set top box of its platform partner Verismo Networks. The box enables viewers to use their existing broadband connection to download programmes directly to their televisions, as opposed to personal computers, according to a press release.

People can choose what to view and when, rather than rely on a channel’s programming schedules, using superior technology that offers higher than DVD quality resolution, with encryption to protect content providers and artists against piracy.

While most programmes will be available on Shakti Extratainment at nominal costs for a 10-day access, select programmes will also be exclusively available for a one-year access on Shakti Extratainment Plus. The company intends to soon telecast on other platforms like broadband TV and handheld devices too.

The programmes are in five broad categories — Classic Shakti (classical music, dance and culture), Kala Shakti (popular entertainment including films and serials), Gyan Shakti (educational shows), Atma Shakti (devotional, philosophical/spiritual) and Jan Shakti (community centric).

According to its founder Chitravina Ravikiran, Shakti would not merely be an entertainment channel. “We endeavour to create a balance between the traditional and the contemporary … based on a 7-E formula of excitement, education, excellence, environment, enterprise, encouragement and elevation.”

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