Tata Sky to provide electronic programme guides in Hindi

Direct-to-home service provider Tata Sky has started providing its electronic programme guide (EPG) in Hindi, making it the first company in the country to do so.

The new Hindi EPG will provide an attractive and popular addition to Tata Sky's product offering, as Hindi is spoken by 40 per cent of India's 1 billion population. 

 The technology for the Hindi electronic guide has been provided by NDS Group, a majority-owned subsidiary of News Corporation, that supplies open end-to-end digital technology and services to digital pay-television platform operators and content providers.

NDS has been Tata Sky's technology partner since its service launch in 2006 and has deployed its world-leading VideoGuard conditional access (CA) and MediaHighway middleware. The CA and DRM technology protects over 90.3 million digital devices around the world. Middleware from NDS has been deployed in over 92.5 million devices.

The design and delivery of the Hindi EPG is the first of its kind in the India pay-TV market. This underscores NDS widely recognised capabilities and leadership in the market. NDS is committed to providing its pay-TV operators with world-class innovative products and services that help them to grow their businesses.

Commenting on the launch, Sue Taylor, VP and General Manager of NDS Asia Pacific, said, ''We are delighted to be part of Tata Sky's initiative of launching the first Hindi EPG in India. The launch of the Hindi EPG reconfirms NDS' commitment and focus to provide world-leading, innovative and customised digital pay-TV solutions, products and support to our esteemed customers in India.''

Announcing the launch of the new Hindi EPG,  Vikram Kaushik, managing director and CEO of Tata Sky Ltd. said, ''We are the first company in India to introduce this advanced technology that will give subscribers the flexibility to choose the language in which they want to view their daily TV programme listings at the press of a button. The new EPG reinforces our commitment in building a state-of-the-art DTH operation in India, and we are confident that it will attract viewers from all over India to the Tata Sky platform.''

Tata Sky Ltd,is a broadcasting joint venture between the Tata Group and Star, providing pay television across the country through its nationwide satellite television service.