NEW DELHI: Like the Sehwag-Sachin duo of masterblasters, TV channels too seem to be hunting in pairs during the big test of general elections. Rajat Sharma has brought in journalist - turned - entrepreneur Tarun Tejpal (of Tehlka-fame) to CO-host poll special on India TV, which went for a soft launch on Sunday.

Another place where a strong pair would be batting hoping to put up a sterling performance is NDTV where Prannoy Roy has teamed up with an old associate, Vinod Dua, for the elections.

India TV, the latest venture of Sharma along with associate, would formally appear in a 24-hour avatar from the third week of May, something that had been reported by indiantelevision.com earlier. But taking advantage of the excitement that events like elections generate in this country, the new kid on the news block would kick off with three-hour election special, called Chunaav Ki Baat.

The program will feature election news and direct interfaces with politicians, alongside in-depth reporting on the constituencies and the campaign activities of various politicians.

Describing the vision behind election special and India TV, Sharma said, Responsible reporting, supported by world-class technology, fresh faces and an international look will make India TV different.

Sharma also said that the news channel would have one of the biggest network of reporters in the country, which would be using fibre optic links for transmission of newsfeeds.

The India TV team includes industry detrains like head of news Ramesh Parida, editor of news service Hemant Sharma, head of distribution Arun Poddar (who comes from ESPN), head of adsales and marketing Sanjay Reddy, and head of the technology team AN Khandpur, who has spent 30 years handling satellite transmission with Indias long distance telecom carrier Videsh Sanchar Nigam Ltd.

India TV promises to provide viewer with a world-class experience through its state-of-the-art broadcast centre in Noida, on the outskirts of Delhi.

Spread over 80,000 sq feet the broadcast centre has fully automated digital newsrooms and four studio floors with multi-camera set-ups, all designed for 24-hour live news broadcast.