MUMBAI: The cat is out of the bag. Not content with dubbing Aaj Tak the country's subse tez (fastest) channel in promotional activities, the Aroon Purie-controlled TV Today Network has decided to formalise the tagline.

The third channel from the stable, which was going by a working title of Surkhiyaan (headlines), has been finally christened Tez (meaning fast in Hindi).

The name has been shortlisted, probably, to allude to the fact that this channel would give news quickly. Tez, a Hindi language news channel, would be on the same platform as elder siblings Aaj Tak and Headlines Today --- Insat 2E.

The channel, which has obtained most of the relevant government permissions necessary, is targeting a launch in the third week of August, but the plans might get delayed to early September, depending on the availability of boxes for the digital channel that has to be seeded in the market.
When contacted by Indiantelevision.com, the company refused to comment on the matter.

Although programming details relating to Tez are not forthcoming, broadcast industry sources indicate that the name suggests it would have elements of English sibling Headlines Today with emphasis on speed while delivering news.

The new product too would be digital free-to-air like Aaj Tak and Headlines Today.

Industry sources also pointed out that TV Today Network is looking at another channel, a Metro-centric product, which is slated to launch early 2006.