MUMBAI: Star World has started beaming in Thailand on UBC digital channel 57 from 1 February.

Star World brings viewers in Asia the best in television entertainment of all genres - drama, comedy, reality, daytime soaps, talkshows, games shows, news and current affairs, children’s programmes, concert specials and international awards shows.

Starting 15 February, the channel will feature Thai subtitles during the prime time slot 8 pm - 9 pm (Thailand) for popular shows including The Casino, Manhunt, Third Watch, Outback Jack and Dog -The Bounty Hunter. The channel also plans to increase the hours of Thai subtitling in March.

Star senior vice president programming Ross Crowley said, "The launch of Star World on UBC underscores our commitment to bringing the world's must-see television to viewers in Thailand. The latest broadcast of programmes including American Idol, Charmed and Wild Card has shot Star World up at the ratings charts in other markets. I am sure the channel, with the inclusion of Thai subtitles during prime time, will be well-received in the market while further strengthening Star's programme offering to our viewers."

UBC director marketing and sales Ongard Prapakamol said, "We at UBC are very excited that our viewers will have an even more complete television experience with the addition of Star World on our platform. Star World boasts top quality shows including American Idol, the international runaway hit that is praised as the original talent search. I am sure Star World will be a highly rated channel on UBC soon."

The most exciting show currently on Star World is the fourth season of American Idol that has been breaking ratings records around the world and is now making its debut in Thailand. Thai viewers of Star World will be the first in Asia to catch the electrifying competition direct off satellite.

Comedies on Star World include The Office, That 70s Show, Miss Match, The Simpsons, Everybody Loves Raymond and The King Of Queens. In the reality genre, the channel showcases The Apprentice, The Simple Life, Cops, Manhunt: The Search For America’s Most Gorgeous Male Model and Growing Up Gotti, the new series that created ratings history in the US.

Other series include Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Charmed, Wild Card, Enterprise, J.A.G., The Oprah Winfrey Show, Parkinson and The Kumars At No 42, to name a few.

Star World also boasts its own Star News Asia, a thirty-minute weekday wrap-up of the latest news relevant to the region.

In addition to Star World, other Star channels currently available on UBC TV in Thailand are Star Movies, Channel [V] Thailand, Star Sports, ESPN and National Geographic Channel.