Discovery Channel has announced that Thomas Friedman, New York Times columnist and winner of the 2002 Pulitzer Prize, for commentary will be hosting a series of special world premiere documentaries. They will air quarterly on the channel from next year. The programmes will provide a new forum for Friedman‘s authoritative insight into world affairs and provide a deeper understanding of modern times.

Production of the first special is slated to begin this fall. The programmes to focus on evolving world events, will feature on-site reporting, access to world leaders, political and social experts and other key newsmakers. Discovery will co-produce the specials with New York Times Television, the documentary production unit of The Times, an official release states.

Friedman received the Pulitzer prize this month in recognition for extensive reporting, in commenting on the worldwide impact of the terrorist threat. He also won Pulitzer Prizes for international reporting from Lebanon (1983) and Israel (1988).

Earlier this month, The New York Times Company and Discovery Communications had announced a joint venture to co-own and develop Discovery Civilisation Channel into a leading network for programming on history and current events. At that time the two companies also announced a programming output agreement under which DCI will produce and purchase programming from New York Times Television over the next five years.

The Times Group‘s Radio Mirchi got that vital head start over its rivals when Bollywood glam doll Aishwarya Rai did the honours as its FM station was officially flagged off this evening from the Times Building in South Mumbai.

As per current indications, the next channel that is likely to launch is Radio Today (from the Living Media group). The others that are still waiting to get their respective shows on the road are Radio Mid Day (from the Mumbai eveninger‘s stable), Radio City, from Star India and Millennium Broadcast.

Radio Mirchi is available on the 98.3 FM band.