Epic, showcased as India’s first mythology channel, is finally ready for launch. Come November 19, the channel will be on air, with around 14 shows in its kitty that will run from Monday till Friday, from 8.30 pm to 11 pm. While roughly 50% of the channel content will be fiction-led, the rest will be non-fiction in narrative format. The channel will showcase its original content only on weekdays and run historical films, such as Jodhaa Akbar and Mangal Pandey, on weekends. The remaining slots will be filled with repeats.
Launched by Epic Television Networks, the channel is estimated to have invested R200 crore so far and is hoping to break even after 4-5 years. Headed by Mahesh Samat, former MD of Walt Disney India, the company has a clutch of private investors, such as Mukesh Ambani, CMD Reliance Industries; Anand Mahindra, CMD, Mahindra & Mahindra; and Rohit Khattar, founder and chairman of Cinestaan Entertainment.
Says Mahesh Samat, MD, Epic, “All our shows will follow the weekly format and their story lines will be based on history and mythology. The number of episodes for each show will be limited and, for some, we will follow the ‘season’ pattern as popular in the West.”
