NDTV-Astro Channel launched in Indonesia

Media News

MUMBAI, June 19

NDTV and Astro, a leading South East Asia media group jointly announced the launch of a 24 hour news, infotainment and lifestyle channel called “Astro Awani” in Djakarta, Indonesia. The language of the channel is primarily Bahasa Indonesia.

The launch of Astro Awani is a significant milestone for the two companies, NDTV and Astro. It is the first channel launched by NDTV outside of India. With this launch Astro Awani becomes the first news channel in Astro’s bouquet, and will be distributed throughout Indonesia on PT Direct Vision’s platform, that is currently licensing the ‘Astro’ trademark. Astro is expected to complete its 20 per cent investment in PT Direct Vision soon.

“Astro Awani has been launched to provide incisive, up-to-the-minute news, lifestyle, debate, current affairs and infotainment to discerning viewers in Indonesia. By partnering with NDTV, we’ve ensured that we bring nothing less than the best practices in news gathering and infotainment programming to our viewers.” Nelia Sutrisno, CEO of PT Direct Vision.

Commenting on the launch, Prannoy Roy NDTV said “This is a landmark for NDTV. For India’s media industry this is the first time that an Indian company has launched a news and infotainment channel outside India in partnership with an international media company. We regard this as one our most exciting new ventures and look forward to launching many more channels outside India in the future.”

Astro Awani fills the need for an information-based channel in Indonesia. Aimed at urban educated viewers around Indonesia, the channel is in the local Indonesian language – Bahasa Indonesia. The content is made up of news bulletins, current affairs shows, lifestyle programming and documentaries.

About Astro All Asia Networks

ASTRO ALL ASIA NETWORKS plc is the region’s leading cross-media operator with direct-to-home satellite television services in Malaysia and Brunei and currently licenses its brand to PT Direct Vision, a satellite operator in Indonesia. It is also the leading commercial radio broadcaster in Malaysia and a major publisher of TV guides and lifestyle magazines. ASTRO subsidiary, Celestial Pictures, owns the world’s largest Chinese film library and its digitally re-mastered films are released internationally through theatrical, video, television and new media distribution, and the Celestial Movies channels. The strength of these complementary brands has extended into interactive and multimedia services including provision of content for mobile telephony. ASTRO operates out of the All Asia Broadcast Centre, a fully-integrated digital broadcast and production complex in Kuala Lumpur For more info: www.astroplc.com

About NDTV

NDTV Ltd, founded in 1988, is India's first and largest private producer of news, current affairs and entertainment television. It is home to the country's best and brightest reporters, anchors and producers; 23 offices and studios across the country host India's most modern and sophisticated production and newsgathering facilities. As an organization, NDTV is totally committed to one cause: to use its extensive expertise, experience, technology and reach to create unparalleled coverage of the latest in domestic and international news and entertainment for viewers at home and around the world. In 2003, NDTV simultaneously launched two 24-hour news channels, NDTV 24x7 in English, and NDTV India in Hindi, which targets the Indian diaspora across the world. Last year NDTV launched NDTV Profit - a 24 hour business plus channel. For more info: www.ndtv.com

For further information, contact:

Manisha Natarajan

NDTV

Tel: 9811999246

Email: manishan@ndtv.com

Abhinav K. Srivastava

Comma Consulting

Tel: 022 40027111/2

Cell: 99823 23750

Email: abhinav.srivastava@comma.in