NEW DELHI: Zee Telefilms, which had proposed a global news channel presenting the Asian viewpoint to the world, is holding talks with other countries in the region for partnerships.

Replying to a query posed by Indiantelevision.com on the news channel, which had been announced by him earlier this year at Ficci-Frames 2005, Chandra today said, “We are holding talks with countries like Pakistan, Singapore and China (to be part of the venture).”

 According to Chandra, “The proposed global news channel with an Asian perspective is likely to become a reality only by end 2006. But work is on.”

Asked where the global news channel would be based, he informed that no decision has been taken yet. Still, he did not rule out Dubai as being one of the candidates for the headquarters.

Zee’s international operations are based out of Dubai’s Media City, which is fast emerging the home for many media companies. Even international cricket’s apex body, ICC, shifted its home from London to Dubai this year.

The shareholding pattern in the global news venture, too, is undecided as that can be done when the partner countries are finalized.

Speaking at Ficci-Frames, Chandra had said that on the lines of CNN and BBC, which highlight American and British/European viewpoints in the global context, Asia should also have a news channel of its own.

He had then said that Zee Telefilms was taking the lead in launching such a global news channel.