Doordarshan eyeing early 2007 UK launch

India state broadcaster Doordarshan will be spreading its wings to the UK early next year by launching two of its channels – DD India (general entertainment) and DD News (news).

Rayat Group, who will be distributing the network in the UK, hopes to get the two Doordarshan channels on air by India’s Republic Day (26th January). According to an insider, they have been in talks with numerous parties for several months and though a signal of the channels is already available in the UK, BSkyB’s policy in issuing EPG numbers remains ��� i.e. a five-month waiting time. This could scupper Doordarshan’s UK launch for the 26th January.

The broadcaster, however, remains optimistic and is looking at other options to hurry its launch on the platform.

Rayat Group is new to television. The group also specialises in retail, including air travel and technology.