After years of uncertainty, India’s state-owned television network Doordarshan will begin broadcasting two free-to-air channels here with the idea of bringing “the essence of India to Great Britain” from April 16.
According to the Rayat Group, the private company in charge of the channels’ distribution here, the two channels, DD India and DD News, will start broadcasting 24 hours a day from April 16. The content will be mostly in Hindi.
The launch of the channels is expected to provide a base for further expansion into Europe. Doordarshan will be the latest channel targeting the Asian/Indian diaspora in Britain. The current channels bouquet includes STAR TV, Zee, Sony, NDTV, and others produced and distributed from within Britain, such as MATV and Raj TV. (more…)
STAR is launching its two new channels in November. STAR, which currently transmits two of its channels STAR Plus and STAR News in the UK, will be launching its third and fourth channels STAR One and STAR Gold. Both channels are expected to launch on the Sky Digital platform week commencing Monday 20th November 2006, although deals with other digital TV providers are also possible.
STAR One launched in India in November 2004 providing entertainment for the younger viewers with shows like ‘Nach Baliye’ and ‘The Great Indian Laughter Challenge’. STAR Gold is a Hindi movie channel showing a mix of contemporary as well as classic movies from the 1950s to the 1990s. (more…)
Kaun Banega Crorepati is coming back on Star TV in 2007.The programme went off air because of host Amitabh Bachchan falling ill. Star TV CEO Nair said,�KBC will be back in its third season next year and we are still working out on the details in terms of schedule, timings etc�.
The show and its anchor have become synonymous and there is no question of bringing out season three with any one else. “We still have 24 episodes remaining from season two as per the contract. But we thought since his original schedule has been hampered, we would wait till he completes all his commitments and then talk to him.”