( 5 March 2008 9:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Star has signed a multi-year and multi-channel distribution deal with US-based satellite TV service provider Dish Network.

As per the deal, Dish will provide five Asian television channels of Star to South Asian and Chinese viewers.

Star's two Hindi entertainment channels Star Plus and Star One will be included on Dish Network from 19 March. Beginning 26 March, three of Star's Mandarin-language channels - Star Chinese Channel, Star Chinese Movies 2 and Channel [V] Taiwan - will be added to the network.

"The deal of Star with Dish Network is its biggest US distribution pact to date and will complement Dish Network's existing South Asian and Chinese channel lineup," an official release said.

Incidentally, Star's Asian channels Star Plus and Star One, Hindi news channel Star news and the South Indian Vijay channels are also available in the US market on DirecTV.

Star's SVP of distribution and sales, and North American and European offices head David Wisnia said, “Today's announcement allows us to significantly expand the reach of our services to the Asian Diaspora in the US. We look forward to entertaining Chinese, Taiwanese and Indian viewers with the top-notch programming that has made Star a household name in Asia, in essence giving them a chance to feel a little closer to their home countries.”