MUMBAI: ET Now, the English business news channel from Times Global Broadcasting Pvt ltd (TGBPL), will officially launch on 22 June.

The channel, which witnessed soft launch on 17 June, has already signed up with major multi-system operators (MSOs) for distribution on their cable networks.

TGBPL CEO Chintamani Rao confirmed the news to Indiantelevision.com and said that the distribution is in place. However, he refused to divulge more details ahead of the launch.

ET Now will be pumping in Rs 400-500 million as carriage fee, according to multiple sources in the cable industry. The channel has signed up with MSOs such as Hathway Cable & Datacom, Incablenet and Den.

"In networks where Times Now is negotiating for renewals, ET Now is yet to sign carriage deals. In Mumbai and Delhi, ET Now is looking for a place close to rival channel CNBC-TV18," the CEO of a leading MSO told Indiantelevision.com.

Another industry source said that ET Now would be spending for carriage on DTH unlike most of the other news channels who had launched earlier. "Leading DTH operators Tata Sky and Dish TV are asking for carriage," he added.

Indiantelevision.com had reported first that ET Now would be launching in the June quarter.