MUMBAI: Singaporean pay-TV operator, StarHub, will launch Tamil channel, Vijay TV on StarHub Digital Cable. The channel will debut on 2 October 2006.

The info-communication company had recently announced that it will offer five international channels free to customers of StarHub Digital Cable using the digital and Digital Video Recorder (DVR) set-top boxes, and on top of that, offer an additional Chinese entertainment channel, Star Chinese Channel, to subscribers of its Chinese Entertainment Basic Group.

Singapore is the third market in the world, after India and the US to carry Vijay.

StarHub’s VP cable TV services Patrick Lim says, “The beauty of cable TV is its capacity to offer a wide range of niche programming to cater to the needs of our different audience segments. StarHub Digital Cable has been the sole operator offering 24-hour Tamil programming in Singapore, and we believe the community of local Tamil viewers will certainly appreciate what VIJAY will bring to their living rooms in terms of vibrant and appealing Tamil programmes.”

Star Regional (SEA) senior VP, ad sales, distribution and marketing Gautam Kiyawat says, “As one of the leading content providers of Tamil and Hindi programmes internationally, STAR is acutely aware of the viewing preferences of our Tamil audiences. Over the years, VIJAY has carved an identity as a dynamic Tamil entertainment channel infused with contemporary Indian culture, and we are very excited to extend VIJAY to audiences in Singapore.”

Fans of Tamil programmes can get the channel for $4.00 ($4.20 with GST) per month, upon the subscription of at least three Basic Groups from StarHub Digital Cable’s subscription plan. Customers will need StarHub’s digital or DVR set-top box in order to receive the channel.

Viewers can refer to the On-screen TV Guide or StarHub’s Online Programme Guide at www.starhub.com/cabletv for the schedule of the programmes on Vijay. Customers can call 1630 or 1633 to subscribe to the channel or visit the website for more information.