(15 May 2008 4:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Comcast-owned International Networks and Star Group, a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corp, have inked a distribution deal.

As part of the deal, International Networks will represent five of Star India’s channels to multi-system operators (MSOs) throughout the US. They include Star Plus, Star One, Star News, Star Gold and Tamil general entertainment channel Vijay.

The agreement will see most of the channels included on International Networks' transponder and available for MSOs immediately.

Star North American and Europen offices senior VP distribution and sales head David Wisnia said, "International Networks is the leading aggregator of ethnic language programming in the U.S. and we are thrilled to have them represent five of our Indian channels to MSOs across the country. We look forward to increasing our distribution to cable homes across the U.S. so that more South Asian viewers can enjoy top-rated entertainment from back home."

Added International Networks VP affiliate sales and marketing Michael Scott: "As the Indian American consumer segment has grown, so has the need for operators to have quality South Asian content to stay competitive. International Networks is excited to partner with Star to provide five of India's most popular channels to help MSOs better reach this lucrative demographic."

Star's international distribution revenues would see a boost in the US as the five channels would get more widely distributed across cable networks.