New Delhi, Feb. 11: Contrary to all kinds of negative news circulating in the media about the NewsX television channel, it is absolutely on line to be launched at an early date, and is now in the process of hiring the best of talent available in the media to target its high-end viewers.

Arup Ghosh, Executive Editor of NewsX told ANI over phone that things were moving along positively, and that the channel has completed a 24-hour dry run successfully in the last week. He also said that the channel's 12 bureaus were connected with the head office, and that everything was in place for a "planned early launch".

"I came here a week ago with a clean slate. We are all very positive. Vincent Fernandes, our CEO, has been a pillar of support. Our promoters, Peter and Indrani Mukherjee, have also been behind us. We have completed our teaser promos and campaign (for the launch)," he said.

Asked for his comments on reports in the media that the channel was being probed for alleged financial irregularities, he said: "A lot of misinformation has happened, but the correct picture is that there is a lot of positive energy, and we are working round-the-clock to put the channel on air. All licenses required for a channel launch are in place, and the funding is through," Ghosh said, without detailing the source of the funding.

Asked what the channel's target audience would be, he said:"We are targetting Sec A and the elite, high-end viewers in the top ten metros of the country, speaking about their concerns, issues that interest them, interacting with decision makers, CEOs of companies etc."

"We have got off on a very positive note. Our team is working hard to give our viewers a wonderful choice in the English news genre, and towards that end, the team is working and plans for a very successful launch," Ghosh concluded. (ANI)