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UTV Movies expands into overseas markets
The channel has tied up with DIRECTV, which reaches 17 million homes in the US
UTV Movies, the 24 hour Hindi movie channel of UTV Global Broadcasting Ltd (UGBL), is pushing its efforts to reach the global audience. The company has entered into a deal with DIRECTV, USA's largest direct to home operator, which has more than17 million subscribers.
As part of the deal, DIRECTV will be the exclusive satellite provider of the channel in the US. UTV Movies is available on the two Hindi packages offered by the DTH provider.
Ganapathy adds that a local campaign is on in the US to promote the channel to the Indian audience. Apart from the US, UTV Movies is also available in Nepal, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand and Japan. “We have identified a clear need for our content worldwide,” he adds.
In the next quarter beginning in April, the company plans to launch UTV Movies in Canada, Europe and eventually, West Asia. Talks are on for the launches in Canada and France, says Ganapathy.
Next on the agenda for the company is its English business news channel, UTVi, which will be similarly distributed in the overseas markets.
UGBL distributes five channels in India – Bindass, Bindass Movies, World Movies, UTV Movies and UTVi.