Indian pubcaster Doordarshan’s news channels are all set to expand its reach in Oz, along with other broad co-production deals, as it signed a partnership with Australian counterpart, Special Broadcasting Service (SBS)

The partnership will enlarge the reach of DD (News) in English, Hindi and other Indian languages to the Indian diaspora in Australia and will also open opportunities for the two broadcasters to explore co-production and joint broadcasting of programmes, which may include areas such as cookery, arts and culture, tourism, Prasar Bharati News Service reported.

The two broadcasters may also exchange professionals and organize training of staff to share knowledge on technical knowhow and programme productions, etc.

“It would allow for exchange of programmes, expertise in this sector and would facilitate daily slots on TV channels in Australia for DD India, DD News and DD Sahyadri,” said India’s Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla while briefing the media on the partnership.

The agreement was signed ahead of the second India-Australia Virtual Summit between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison on Monday.

According to PBNS, the two leaders welcomed the partnership between Prasar Bharati and SBS.

The SBS is a hybrid-funded Australian public service broadcaster. About 80 per cent of funding for the company is derived from the Australian Government. SBS operates five TV channels and seven radio networks. SBS Online is home to SBS on Demand video streaming service.

Meanwhile, earlier in the month, Doordarshan (DD) had announced a carriage deal with YuppTV with a clear aim to widen global reach and spread India’s perspectives on international developments.

The agreement with the Atlanta-headquartered OTT platform will get DD India, pubcaster Doordarshan’s international TV channel, access into several geographical markets like the USA, the UK, Europe, Middle East, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.

In a statement then, DD’s parent Prasar Bhararti had said the YuppTV deal was initiated to “expand the global reach of DD India channel, to put forth India’s perspective on various international developments on global platforms and to showcase India’s culture and values to the world”.