Indian public service broadcaster launches on Sky

by Mark Banham, Brand Republic 28-Mar-07, 10:50

LONDON - Doordarshan, the Indian public service broadcaster that transmits to 1.4bn viewers globally, will be launched on the BSkyB platform from next month.

UK-based Rayat TV will transmit the DD India and DD News, 24 hours a day from April 16. The two will broadcast in Hindi with some 20% of the content in English.

Inari Sharma, marketing manager of Rayat TV, said: "Doordarshan will provide the most innovative and rich content and bring the essence of India to Great Britain.

"With the largest library of sub continental programming in the world, we will be able to offer a unique blend of content that, until now, has not been available to viewers in the UK."

DD India includes music, children's programmes, sports, travel along with documentaries, current affairs, politics and business news.

The DD News schedule includes bulletins, live coverage of breaking news events, current affairs, business, health, culture, interviews and sports updates.

The night before the channels go live, Rayat TV will host a gala event at the Grosvenor House on Park Lane, which will be televised not only in the UK but also across the Doordarshan network.

Khalid Mahmood, chief executive of The Rayat Group, said: "Our primary objective is to provide our viewers with high quality programmes which entertain, educate and inform. This will be a unique medium for British Asians."