Alive Networks to enter India

By Sandeep Dikshit

NEW DELHI, DEC. 24. The Hongkong-based Alive Networks is planning to enter the Indian market early next year, initially through a TV channel which will broadly compete with Discovery and National Geographic channels.

``Our research found that people today look upon travel as a learning experience. People are beginning to prefer more breaks but shorter in duration. We are looking at treating travel and tourism as a learning experience,'' said the company Chairman, Mr. Ian Henry, during a telephonic interview from Hong Kong.

``To do that, the company has embarked on a multimedia platform in which the TV channel will be the first step. In due course, we will make forays in print and Internet. We will be taking advantage of synergies in operations. It will help us reduce the cost of marketing, content gathering and production,'' he added.

Alive is actively talking to several India-based TV majors to introduce its tourism-based round-the-clock channel. The company had initially thought of entering India on its own but the ``infinitely complex'' cable market was a deterrent. ``Earlier we were coming in on our own. But it was impossible to get an accurate picture,'' confesses Mr. Henry, who had earlier set up Chinadotcom, Asia's largest Internet company and the first to be listed on the Nasdaq, which is currently subject to the general downturn in the market.But there is no change in the long term potential of Internet, he quickly adds. And with reason. In due course, he hopes Internet will become the main revenue earner for his company. For the present, however, Alive is looking at the TV and cable distribution space in the country.

The investment ``will be in thousands and millions of dollars. It is difficult to put a cap ''. TV described by Mr. Henry as the medium of choice for consumers will be the first offering. But the company is most excited about the boom in mobile Internet. This sector is already enjoying a tremendous growth in Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Korea and Mr. Henry believes India will be a very big market once wireless access protocol takes root in the country. ``It will explode once it reaches India.'' Internet roll out will begin around the middle of next year.

Mr. Henry claimed that Alive was supported by a strong group of financial investors and claimed the company is being approached by several more. For the moment, strategic partners willing to take up equity in Alive Networks are not being favoured. ``It is more important to be financially independent in the early days,'' he reasons.

He believes the company is hitting the market at a very good time. ``The Asian markets are coming out of a downturn, spending on tourism is going to increase and new media can be depended upon because it is reaching a certain level of maturity and reach.''

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