In a boost to India-Bangladesh and India-South Korea cooperation, the Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar on Wednesday announced that Doordarshan (DD) India will now be telecast in Bangladesh and South Korea.
The development came after a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Prasar Bharati and Bangladesh TV (BTV). In return, BTV World, a channel owned by Bangladesh TV, would now be available on DD Free Dish, the state-owned direct-to-home (DTH) free-to-air platform.
The Minister said India had signed an agreement with Bangladesh to telecast state-run DD India in the neighbouring country. A ministry statement said BTV World would be of special interest to viewers in eastern India.
"We have decided to show BTV World, a channel owned by Bangladesh TV, on the DD Free Dish which will be available for the viewers of Doordarshan in our country. At the same time, DD India would be made available in Bangladesh," Javadekar said.
The Union Minister further said that KBS World, a 24×7 English channel of the South Korean government, would also be available on DD Free Dish.
"We have entered into an agreement with South Korea also, where South Korea will show DD India and we will also allow South Korean KBS channel, it will be available in India. This mutual cooperation with neighbouring countries is very important," he said.