Hard Talk’s Tim Sebastian set for some straight talk

Three anchormen have been chosen: Frontline editor N. Ram will take the first shot at Sebastian in Bangalore. Asian Age editor-in-chief M.J. Akbar will take over from Ram in Delhi followed by Reliance man Anil Ambani in Mumbai. The interviews will be recorded next week out of sight of the viewers with just the press for company.

As Hard Talk completes 1,000 episodes and BBC looks to increase its viewership in India from the current 11 million homes, Sebastian, has been asked to switch places. ‘‘He will conduct interviews in the coming days,’’ BBC officials said. The list of probables includes Dy PM L.K. Advani and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha.

With competition hotting up for news channels, the BBC, which ranks far behind the Indian channels in the viewership race, will be looking at possible avenues to consolidate its position.