Germany's DWTV launched in India

DWTV is a 24-hour channel that will focus on news from Europe, as well as regional issues from Asia.

Deutsche Welle (DW), Germany's public service broadcaster, upped its South Asian presence with with the launch of DWTV in India. The news channel will feature 24 hours of programming in English with a focus on news, lifestyle and regional content for Asia. It was launched on September 17th by the German ambassador to India, Martin Ney and Prasar Bharati CEO Jawahar Sircar in Delhi.

DWTV will mainly have news from Europe and the world, along with a programming focus on regional news and events from Asia. It will also feature documentaries, talk shows and programmes covering culture and lifestyle. Some of these include Euromaxx, Arts.21, Tomorrow Today and Discover Germany.

"The new DWTV opens a window to the world for our viewers in South Asia," said Dorothee Ulrichs, Head of Distribution Asia at DW. "DW offers a unique perspective that is especially valued by local business and opinion leaders and DW News will now provide them with insights into international head-lines, and the details behind regional issues."

Last year, Prasar Bharati had signed an MoU with Deutsche Welle, to make DD India available on the Hotbird 13B satellite. The latter covers the whole of Europe, Central Asia and the Arab world of West Asia and North Africa. The reciprocal distribution of DWTV on DD's Freedish stems from this agreement. The channel will also be available on platforms such as Dish TV and Airtel and on cable networks like Asianet, Hathway, DEN Networks, InCable Network, Ortel and GTPL.