(3 August 2009 9:00 pm)

MUMBAI: News Corporation-owned Asian broadcaster Star is adding nine channels from its bouquet to Indovision's DTH platform in a bid to expand its footprint in Indonesia.

Among the lot are five Hindi language services, two Mandarin language services and two international news channels distributed by Star.

While the Hindi channels are Star Plus, Star One, Star Gold, Star News and Channel [V] India, the Mandarin language services include Star Chinese Movies 2 and Channel [V] Taiwan. Fox News and Sky News are the two international news channels available on the DTH platform.

The newly launched nine channels compliment Star World, Star Movies and Channel [V] International, which are already available on the platform, thus making Star one of Indovision's largest television channel suppliers.

Says MNC Sky Vision VP director Handhi S Kentjono, "We are very happy to have more Star channels in our lineup. The channels will increase the entertainment aspects of Indovision to a higher level. The best selection of Star channels will cater the entertainment needs of large Indonesian demographic segments and ages."

Adds Star VP distribution and marketing Gautam Kiyawat, "With popular channels such as Star World, Star Movies and Channel [V] already on Indovision's platform, Star has built an established and valued connection with viewers in Indonesia. The nine additional channels we are launching today represent many highly rated Indian and Chinese language channels, including Star Plus, Star One, Star Gold and Star Chinese Movies 2."