NEW DELHI: What had been earlier put off has finally happened. Channel7 has been rechristened IBN7 and has been sporting the new name from India's Independence Day, 15 August.
This has been done to integrate the synergies between English language CNN IBN and the Hindi Channel7, in which the Television Eighteen Group bought controlling stake earlier this year.

The on-air look of IBN7, including the channel ID, programme stings, on-air graphics, will give the channel a contemporary look and feel. The logo of IBN 7 in red, black and white reflects the brand identity and corporate philosophy of Global Broadcast Network (GBN), which is in sync with CNN IBN, an official statement said.

Eight months ago, the Television Eighteen-controlled GBN had presented CNN IBN, which over the period has become a leading English news channel, driven by the spirit of Whatever it Takes.

Now this spirit extends to IBN 7, which would embark on the principle of delivering khabar, har keemat par or Whatever it Takes, the statement added.

Highlighting the philosophy behind this move CNN IBN and IBN7 chief editor Rajdeep Sardesai was quoted in the statement as saying, "We are delighted to launch IBN 7, our 24-hour Hindi news channel for the benefit of the Hindi news viewers. With the introduction of IBN 7, GBN attempts to expand its reach in India."

He added: "We are confident that CNN-IBN and IBN 7 together will bring to the discerning viewers a holistic approach to news delivery."

According to IBN 7 managing editor Ashutosh, the channel will present multi-genre news programming package for the Hindi news viewers and the focus will be on building a channel that broadcasts news as it happens, when it happens, wherever it happens.

It was 19 January 2006 that Indiantelevision.com first broke the news that GBN, owners of English news channel CNN IBN, were in talks with Jagran TV, parent company of Channel7, aimed at making the Hindi news channel a part of the GBN stable through a joint venture.