“THE INDONESIA CHANNEL” AIMING FOR MAY LAUNCH

Indonesia’s first 24-hour English-language channel is planning its global debut in May 2014.
The announcement was made in the Jakarta offices of “The Indonesia Channel” on February 4. 

“It’s Indonesia’s time to tell its own story to the world,” said CEO Dalton Tanonaka, a former CNN and CNBC anchor.  Tanonaka ([email protected]) has worked in Indonesia since 2006, most recently with the country’s news channel Metro TV.  His “TalkIndonesia” program was a finalist for “Best Talk Show” at the Asian Television Awards in Singapore in December.  He was a previous “Best News Anchor” ATA winner.

The private international channel will feature signature programs on fashion (“Passion for Fashion”), business (“Executive Golf”) and lifestyle (“Yoga Bliss”), along with classic Indonesian films and TV series subtitled in English.  A live daily newscast “Today’s Indonesia” will give viewers fresh insights into the world’s fourth most-populated country.  Music programs (“I-Pop”) and sports events will also be in the programming lineup.

 Former HBO and Sony executive John Ovrutsky ([email protected]) leads the worldwide distribution team of The Indonesia Channel.  Initial viewers are being targeted in countries with business and cultural ties with Indonesia. 

“This is the most exciting project I’ve ever been involved with.  There are so many dynamic aspects to Indonesia at this point in time,” said New York native Ovrutsky.

Other members of the launch team include Indonesia natives Melissa Pangkey ([email protected]), Director of Content, and Indah Nugrohowati ([email protected]), Director of Sales.  The channel’s offices and studios are based in Mega Kuningan, sharing facilities and production with domestic partner NET.  For more information, contact Indah Ceylan at [email protected].