(18 January 2007 6:25 pm)

MUMBAI: The Star Group's internet portal, indya.com has announced the launch of a digital entertainment store, by which users can download content. Among top shows on the network, Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, The Great Indian Laughter Challenge and Koffee With Karan will be made available for download. indya.com is also working with other content providers to bring Indian documentaries, current affairs updates, films and music online.

The service is powered by Direct2Drive, Fox Interactive Media's digital retail store, which already offers an array of downloadable film, television and anime content from providers, such as 20th Century Fox, Lionsgate Films, and Starz Entertainment. Users can access the service at http://broadband.indya.com.

Single episodes are now available for free on a trial basis in order to allow users to sample the quality of the content and service. Additional episodes are priced starting from US$0.99 though special discounts are available for bundle purchases. Additionally, indya.com's exclusive recap episodes will be available for top serials, chronicling an entire week of events in a 45-minute specially created recap. Recap episodes for shows like Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii, are available now in the same week as aired on TV, with other shows to be added to the mix in the near future, informs an official release.

It will be available worldwide and is targeted at broadband-enabled South Asian audiences in the U.S., U.K., Canada and South East Asia.

The new service is offered via a "download-to-own" model, in which content is downloaded to the end-user's PC. Purchased content is then playable on up to two Windows Media compatible devices, including portable players, allowing consumers to view their content on the go, adds the release.

"This is the first time an Asian internet portal has made this kind of scale of entertainment content available online," said Star India executive vice president and head, interactive media Ajay Vidyasagar. "We are very pleased to be able to launch the service with a number of Star's popular properties and look forward to working with other content providers in order to offer broadband enabled South Asians the world over the best entertainment content for download."