Scientific Atlanta, better known in India as a supplier of high quality set top boxes, has been the first mover to make a pitch to etc Networks for a contract to set up an earth station for it in Mumbai.

etc Networks managed a coup of sorts after obtaining a licence to set up an uplinking centre from Mumbai. The channel will now become part of an exclusive club of four having uplinking facilities in India. The list includes Jain TV, promoted by Dr JK Jain, Kalanithi Maran‘s Tamil Nadu-based Sun TV and the Eenadu Group in Andhra Pradesh, promoted by Ramoji Rao.

etc has, however, only been allowed to uplink to the Thaicom 3 satellite, according to one of the channel‘s three promoters Yogesh Shah. Queried as to who had been commissioned to build the earth station, Shah said: "Thaicom itself has a facility to help set up the teleport. Scientific Atlanta has given us a quotation. There are several others who are interested in helping us set up the earth station in our existing premises in north Mumbai‘s Andheri suburb."

Although etc will be targeting the 24 Indian channels that are currently downlinking off Thaicom 3, Shah said he did not expect more than five to seven channels - all Mumbai-based - to make the switch. That doesn‘t include etc‘s own channels - etc Punjabi and etc Entertainment.

The project would cost between Rs 50 to 60 million, Shah said.

The Delhi-based Media Foundation has recently launched a website The Hoot which aims to track the media in the Indian subcontinent.

With initial support from UNESCO and individuals, the site is the outcome of the concern felt by a group of practicing journalists at some recent trends in journalism in this part of the world, and also attempts to provide tools for communities and individuals to interact with the media.

Sevanti Ninan, journalist, author and media columnist for the Hindu, Shailaja Bajpai, media columnist, Indian Express, Mannika Chopra, Delhi bureau chief, The Telegraph, and Shubhra Gupta media columnist, Hindustan Times, are the persons whose initiative has made the website possible.