ESPN Star Sports launches Rural Initiative 2001
After the overwhelming success of their rural campaign last year, ESPN and STAR Sports, the premier sports networks have decided to further strengthen their focus on the smaller towns and cities in order to reach out to the smaller cable operators. Coming just before the start of an exciting new cricket season featuring Live and Exclusive telecast of five India series, this initiative will help rural cable operators provide additional value to their subscribers.

Announcing this initiative, Manu Sawhney, Managing Director, ESPN Software India said, "We have been greatly encouraged by the success of our rural package efforts last year. Our new rural marketing and rural package initiative in 2001 will help us increase our reach further into smaller towns and cities. Cable operators in rural areas see great value in offering a sports service in their bouquet and the consumers too, are appreciating it. As a result we have redoubled our efforts to reach out to them."

Maureen Wadia in Style South Asia
CNN’S Style South Asia profiles Maureen Wadia who runs the fashion glossy Gladrags. To be telecast on May 4, this episode will highlight Maureen’s multi-faceted personality. From running a magazine, two hospitals to managing her high-powered social life with flair, Maureen is the epitome of style and success. Besides her, Style South Asia will showcase a project called Visionaire. Created by Professor Acharya, Meher Castellino & Wendell Rodricks, the project aims to liberate the wardrobe of the visually impaired by the inventive use of Braille on fabrics. A collection of clothes meant to be experienced above every thing else through touch and feel...

Zain Verjee to anchor - Q&A South Asia
Zain Verjee is taking over from Riz Khan as anchor of Q&A South Asia. Zain who joined CNN as a news anchor in May 2000 will host the show from the global news networks headquarters in Atlanta from May 21, 2001. "With her excellent journalistic credentials and her experience as a talk show host, Zain is a perfect fit for the role of the Q&A anchor," said Rena Golden, executive vice president and general manager, CNN International.

Zain is already familiar to viewers in South Asia as CNN news anchor and has also presented Q&A South Asia on several occasions, including hosting some India specials for the show. Q&A South Asia airs at 10 pm. Monday to Wednesdays on CNN’s South Asia Channel, which launched in June 2000. The half-hour interactive show interviews leading politicians, celebrities and newsmakers and gives audiences the opportunity to talk directly to the show’s guests via email, phone or fax.

Before joining CNN International, Zain worked with Kenyan Television Network (KTN), where she anchored the prime time news bulletin and compiled, produced and presented documentaries. In addition to her work at KTN, Zain freelanced for other networks, producing several programmes including African Perspectives, a 30-minute documentary on the desegregation of non-governmental organizations. A multi-linguist, Zain speaks Gujarati and French among other languages.