Both the BBC and Liberty Global are moving into India with agressive plans for new channels.
Reports from India say that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has granted downlinking permission to the BBC for two channels, both focusing on children’s programming. The BBC’s commercial arm, BBC Worldwide, is the licence-holder.
It is believed that the channels will be on the air within the coming few months, offering competition to established kids’ brands such as Disney and Cartoon Network.
At the same time, Liberty Global has revealed that it intends to launch channels potentially covering the genres of lifestyle, food and theatre.
According to reports, Liberty is looking at digital cable as the potential platform for its new channels as it develops its concepts and strategies.