It was confirmed earlier this year that ZEE Network will be launching a sister station to its flagship ZEE TV service.

Today, ZEE Network officials have announced the sibling tentatively titled ZEE Next (as revealed on BizAsia.co.uk this year) will be going live in September in India.

According to a report on IndianTelevision, ZEEL director Punit Goenka said the launch of the channel will coincide with the upcoming festive season. "From the very start, it would be a pay channel," he added.

Unlike the main service, ZEE Next will be targeting a much younger audience - viewers aged between 15 and 25. The channel will address more contemporary issues especially in its portrayal of women. Although its main target will be the youth demographic, it will "not alienate the housewife," he added.

ZEE Next is being launched to compete with the likes of STAR One and Sony's secondary entertainment channel SAB TV.

Our sources at ZEE Network UK have said that ZEE Next will also be available to UK viewers months after its India debut.

ZEE UK is also expected to make an announcement in the coming days about its ZEE Radio service and the launch of ZEE News here.

Related links:
EXCLUSIVE: ZEE Network to launch radio station
ZEE India to launch new entertainment channel