Disney's ABC News Now to be available via Dish TV

(9 October 2006 1:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Disney-ABC Television Group's ABC News Now channel will soon launch on Dish TV, the direct-to-home platform.

This is the first deal outside of United States that the Walt Disney Company’s Buena Vista International Television-Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) has entered into.

The 24-hour ABC News Now channel is likely to launch on Dish TV later this year - subject to downlinking approval by the information and broadcasting ministry, according to an official statement.

ABC News Now is a 24/7 international news channel that provides live breaking news coverage, complete shows, exclusives, news specials, in-depth coverage and more. The channel also offers viewers exclusive uncut interviews from award-winning ABC news programming such as 20/20, Primetime and World News with Charles Gibson as well as insightful, original programs with the latest on health, money and Hollywood.

“We are delighted to have signed this agreement with Dish TV for the ABC News Now channel, and look forward to working closely with them to bring ABC's first class news service to the Indian audience,” commented BVITV-AP senior vice president and managing director Steve Macallister. "India is a key strategic market for our company so this deal marks a particularly significant achievement."

“This is a major step forward for ABC News Now,” said ABC News president David Westin. “As ABC News strives to reach news audiences anytime and anywhere around the globe, we are delighted that one of the largest English-speaking countries in the world should be our first step."

“As technology rapidly evolves in the Indian media landscape, a new generation of consumer is embracing all it has to offer. With Dish TV, the Walt Disney Company would be able to provide top-of-the-class global news coverage to a savvy and discerning Indian audience,” said The Walt Disney Company India MD Rajat Jain.

“In the last year, Dish TV has emerged as one of the fastest growing digital platforms in Asia. Our association with ABC News Now is in line with our commitment to provide the best of infotainment, available in India or abroad, to our subscribers. We are sure that Dish TV subscribers would be happy to access ABC News Now in India shortly,” mentioned Dish TV business head Jawahar Goel.