MUMBAI: NDTV and Astro have launched a 24-hour news and information channel, Astro Awani, in Malaysia on 6 September. This follows the launch last year in Indonesia of a 24-hour news, infotainment and lifestyle channel.

With the tagline 'Our Gateway to The World,' Astro Awani is the first 24-hour news and information channel in Malaysia.

Presented in the national language, Astro Awani will have a mixed content of current international news, events and issues which are relevant to the local viewers.

Astro Awani is one of the four channels that NDTV is going to launch in September. The package includes NDTV lifestyle channel Good Times, Astro Awani, a channel for the Middle East and Metronation.

NDTV Group CEO KVL Narayan Rao said, "NDTV's association with Astro has had a great start last year, with the success of Astro Awani in Indonesia. Now, we are delighted to come together again and provide viewers in Malaysia with a comprehensive look at news and topical issues. The channel is a tribute to NDTV's long standing commitment to delivering in-depth news and information-based programming."

Astro TV CEO Rohana Rozhan said, "We observed that our customers want higher quality content in a form that is international news presented from a local perspective. To fulfil this demand, we are proud to introduce Astro Awani. It will feature global news, events and issues from a Malaysian perspective, and will be presented in the national language."