(8 July 2009 8:50 pm)

MUMBAI: The newly launched business news channels have hopped on to the direct-to-home (DTH) platforms ahead of the budget.

UTV Global Broadcasting Ltd (UGBL) has signed a distribution agreement with Dish TV for its channel UTVi, while ET Now is available to subscribers of Airtel Digital TV.

Sources say UTVi will be shelling out an annual carriage fee of Rs 30 million. The channel is available from 4 July on channel no. 598 on the Dish TV platform.

Says Dish TV COO Salil Kapoor, “We are delighted to add UTVi, English business news channel, on the largest DTH platform with 5.5 million subscribers. We take pride in offering Sabse Zyaada (maximum) content and this addition will further enhance Dish TV’s strong bouquet of business channel offering to its discerning subscribers.”

UGBL executive director Shantonu Aditya adds, “We are pleased to announce the launch of UTVi on India’s leading DTH platform and are confident that our unparalleled acumen in the business news space, coupled with Dish TV’s leading edge, will offer great value to the subscribers.”