Music and Youth
MTV Desi launched on DirecTV to serve south Asians in US
MUMBAI: To focus on the needs of bi-cultural Americans, MTV Desi, the network serving young people with ties to the Indian sub-continent but living in the US launched on DirecTV on 12 July.
DirecTV has added MTV Desi to its HindiDirect(TM) programming package at no additional cost.
MTV president Christina Norman said: “MTV Desi is the first of many MTV World networks that will serve these growing niche youth audiences with customized programming tailored specifically to their life experiences.”
“Young Americans are increasingly diverse, multi-ethnic, and cross- cultural – they demand entertainment that caters to their individual backgrounds,” said Norman.
Accoridng to a media release, MTV Desi is the first MTV World channel to launch and MTV Networks anticipates launching MTV Chi (for young Chinese-Americans) and MTV K (for young Korean-Americans) later this year.
DIRECTV, Inc International Aaron McNally points out: ” MTV has been a valued and long-time programming partner and we are proud to be able to debut this exciting new channel on DIRECTV.”
“MTV Desi will enable us to offer a unique blend of music and event programming that will speak directly to the young South-Asian audience. This is a terrific complement to our HindiDirect package and will help us continue to grow our international customer base in the U.S.”
The DirecTV HindiDirect residential package, which includes Star Plus, Star One and Star News, is available for $29.99 per month.
The media release also adds that MTV Desi will air shows; Top 10 Desi Countdown the show where the audience votes for the most popular videos.
Besides other regular shows include a mix of original US programming, shows from MTV India, like CY vs. CY, MTV Bakra, Heavy Mental, Style Awards, Immies and Roadies.
MUMBAI: Mumbai is about to witness something it has never seen before. The Global Youth Festival arrives on 6-7 December at Jio World Garden with 15,000 attendees and 60-plus experiences sprawled across six sprawling arenas. On its sixth edition, this is no ordinary jamboree—it is a carefully orchestrated collision of wellness, adventure, arts, music, yoga and social change.
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis will throw open the proceedings with a landmark ceremony, signalling the state’s backing for a movement that has already mobilised youth across 20-plus countries and 170-plus cities. The sheer scale is staggering: 500-plus volunteers powering the machine, 600,000-plus volunteer hours logged across previous editions, and millions of lives touched annually.
The speaker roster is formidable. Diipa Büller-Khosla and Dipali Goenka, chief executive of Welspun India, will share the stage with Malaika Arora in conversations spanning leadership, creativity and culture. Union Minister for Sports and Youth Affairs Mansukhbhai Mandaviya will also attend, reinforcing GYF’s reach into the corridors of power.
But this is not mere talk. The Solaris Mainstage promises concerts from renowned Indian artists. Innerverse delivers a 360-degree LED spectacle of art, technology and sound. The Love and Care Arena houses hands-on projects spanning women’s empowerment, child education, rural upliftment and animal welfare. India’s largest outdoor sound-healing experience awaits. An inflatable obstacle course, neon drifter karts and open-sky bouldering cater to thrill-seekers.
Some have branded GYF the “Coachella of Consciousness.” Others call it “India’s Largest Sober Festival.” Spiritual visionary Pujya Gurudevshri Rakeshji, who inspired the festival, will deliver the Wisdom Masterclass. Every rupee goes to charity.
After Mumbai comes Kolkata on 14 December. New York looms next year. For one weekend in December, Mumbai becomes the epicentre of youth-driven change—and nothing will be quite the same after.
Tickets available on BookMyShow. Visit youthfestival.srmd.org or follow @globalyouthfestival on Instagram.
