UTV Software channels to launch on IPTV overseas

MUMBAI, July 2 (Reuters) - UTV Software Communications Ltd (UTVS.BO: Quote, Profile, Research) said on Wednesday its broadcasting unit has entered a deal with IPTV service provider, The New Media Group, to launch two channels on the latter's IPTV platform.

Hindi movie channel UTV Movies, and English business news channel UTVi, will be launched in Japan, Australia and New Zealand on the 'World On-Demand' IPTV platform on August 1, UTV said in a statement.

"It's an opportunity here and it is a growing platform," Shantonu Aditya, Executive Director, UTV Global Broadcasting, told Reuters over the telephone. "We can see this as a third player to cable and DTH (direct-to-home)."

"We are also looking at DTH and cable in these markets," he said, adding the Hindi movie channel will be subtitled later, widening its audience.

UTV Global distributes the two channels as well as general entertainment channel 'Bindass' and movie channels 'Bindass Movies' and 'World Movies'.

The broadcaster plans to distribute the two channels initially in the U.S. and the Middle East by the end of 2008 and UK and Europe in 2009 across the three platforms. (Reporting by Jasudha Kirpalani, Editing by Sunil Nair)