India's INX to launch 9X and 9XM channels in Gulf

Indian television group INX Media has tied up with a Dubai-based media firm to launch two of its channels in the Gulf and the Middle East.

The company has appointed Media Solutions to oversee the launch of the group's Hindi general entertainment channel 9X and music channel 9XM in the region.

Media Solutions is a boutique media consultancy business based in Dubai Media City and is well known for its ability to provide creative but practical business solutions to the television broadcasting industry.

Peter Mukerjea, chairman and chief strategy officer, INX Media, said: "I am extremely proud to be working with Altaf Alimohamed. He is one of the most professional and knowledgeable television executives in the Middle East. I know this first hand from my days at Star when Altaf was running the Middle East region. I am confident that Altaf and Media Solutions will help us take the popular programming of 9X and 9XM to millions of viewers in the Middle East."

Altaf Alimohamed, managing director, Media Solutions, said: "We are delighted to partner with INX Media for the launch of their popular channels 9X and 9XM. INX Media has made a huge impact in the Indian TV industry in a very short span of time. Both 9X and 9XM provide contemporary and world-class entertainment. I am confident we can replicate the immense success they have had in India, in the Middle East and beyond."

In India, the launch of 9X has been the most successful TV channel launch in the recent past. Among the channels launched in 2007-08, 9X has achieved consistent growth and claims to have reach 76 million viewers in a week. The steady growth in ratings and its performance is being seen as a milestone on the channel's road to possible industry leadership.

Significantly, 9X has achieved these ratings with some hours of primetime programming yet to belaunched by the end of September this year.