Doordarshan channels begin testing on Sky

Indian state broadcaster Doordarshan is readying the UK launch of two of its channels on Sky Digital.

A general infotainment channel DD India and a 24 hour news channel direct from India called DD News will launch on Monday 16th April, as revealed first exclusively on BizAsia.co.uk.

Both DD India and DD News have begun testing off the Sky Digital EPG. Even though visual and audio tests are still days away, programming data relating to both channels have been linked.

DD India and DD News will be distributed by London’s Rayat Group. The group is new to television and specialise in retail, including air travel and technology.

Doordarshan had earlier planned to launch on 26th January to coincide with India’s Republic Day. These plans however were scrapped due to Sky’s long cue in dishing out EPG numbers.

In the meantime testing for DD India can be viewed in the following way:

-> Using your Sky Digi remote, go to Services Menu
-> System Setup (4)
-> Add Channels (4)
-> Enter the frequency: 11.426 (V), FEC 2/3, Symbol Rate 27500
-> Find Channels and Press SELECT
-> Highlight “52520” service and press Yellow button.
-> Return to Services Menu
-> Other Channels (6) on STB / (8) on Sky+
-> “52520” should be listed and available

Testing for DD News can be viewed in the following way:

-> Using your Sky Digi remote, go to Services Menu
-> System Setup (4)
-> Add Channels (4)
-> Enter the frequency: 11.527 (V), FEC 2/3, Symbol Rate 27500
-> Find Channels and Press SELECT
-> Highlight “50320” service and press Yellow button.
-> Return to Services Menu
-> Other Channels (6) on STB / (8) on Sky+
-> “50320” should be listed and available