MUMBAI: Hallmark Channel on Thursday signed a carriage agreement with Telewest Broadband, the broadband communications and media group, securing its place across all major digital platforms in the UK.

The long-term carriage deal will enable an additional 500,000 UK viewers to see Hallmark as part of Telewest Broadband's "essential plus" package. The combined channels will now reach over 7 million digital subscribers, according to an official release.

Hallmark will launch on Telewest Broadband on 2 September on Channel 190. The chaAccording to Hallmark Channel (UK) Chief Executive Jeff Henry: "The completion of this agreement with Telewest Broadband means we've reached our goal of maximum distribution."nnel has so far been available on ntl: home and Sky Digital, says the release.

Hallmark UK channel launched in May 2000 on Sky Digital, securing carriage with ntl:home in November 2001. In the past year Hallmark has seen its audience share increase by more than 140% year on year, claims the channel. Telewest Communications currently passes 4.9 million homes and provides multi-channel television, telephone and Internet services to around 1.8 million UK households, and voice and data telecommunications services to around 74, 300 business customers, the release says.