The channels include FOX TV (FX) , FoxCrime and Baby TV. These apart, Real TV and WB (Warner Brothers) channels have also been included in the new channel packaging.

SunDirect said that all the five new channels will be available in all basic packs from April 1, 2009, for subscribers.

FOX TV (FX) is aimed at sophisticated male and female audiences, and has been described by the company as providing bold and edgier content with their cutting-edge programming, and character-driven stories.

FOXCrime will provide crime investigation TV series, intrigue, and mystery entertainment, premieres of riveting drama series, high quality original productions, and biographies of infamous criminals, through the day.

Baby TV is aimed at children under three years, and their parents. It is said to be an innovative creator that is geared towards development, activity, fun and parent-child interaction.

Real TV, which was launched in early March 2009, is a a Hindi entertainment TV channel that will be distributed by Zee Turner

WB, a English movie channel by Warner Brothers, promises to offer Hollywood’s biggest movies and best series.

Sun Direct offers 40 add-on packages, ranging from Rs 6 to Rs 195 per month, of the most viewed channels.

Sun Direct offers a basic package of over 170 plus TV channels and 31 digital radio channels with DVD quality pictures, CD quality sound, for a introductory offer of Rs.499 for 5 months subscription.

The package comes along with free Dish and Set top box, excluding installation charges.

Prashant Samadhar, Raghu Ram, and Neha Bhasin in the Sitaron Ko Choona Hai show

Sitaron Ko Choona Hai, a music talent reality show, will be aired from March 9, 2009.  In the show, twelve young singers will be placed in a music academy to be groomed as exceptional singers.

The academy will be run by a strict Head, Raghu Ram (MTV Roadies), who will ensure that the participants realise their full potential.

Raghu Ram will be assisted by voice coach, Prashant Samadhar and Viva singer Neha Bhasin, who will guide the participants in aspects of performance.

Contestants will be judged not just for their singing skills, but also for performance, and choreography.

The other show, Ninja Pandav, a fantasy adventure, will go on air from March 13, 2009. The show is about five pandavs (in contemporary times) who flee from a Himalayan monastery to Mumbai, to escape from Black Ninjas. Their aim is to protect a powerful prism from the Black Ninjas.

Real Global Broadcasting (RGB)’s new Hindi entertainment channel, Real, was launched on March 2, 2009.

The Real channel is a 50:50 joint venture between Turner International and Alva Brothers Entertainment.

From March 2, 2009 onwards, the Real channel started airing programmes that comprise reality shows, human dramas, and real life stories. The USP of the Real channel is said to be their focus on ‘Real People’ and ‘Real Stories’ to create ‘Real Entertainment’, according to the Alva Brothers Entertainment co-promoter and director Niret Alva.

Niret Alva also said that the channel is aimed at Neo Indians, who are urban oriented and broad minded.

On offer are a weekly game quiz Poker Face, Vicky Ki Taxi, weekly drama Hindi Hai Hum, and reality show, Sarkaar Ki Duniya.

Poker Face, an adaptation of an UK game show with the same name, will be anchored by Sharman Joshi. In the game, contestants compete for a prize of Rs 1 crore every week. They need not know the right answers and can bluff their way through the game, or fold to take home the winnings they have made so far.

Sarkaar Ki Duniya is a one-hour Monday-to-Friday reality show in which 18 people live on a remote island. The island is run by an autocratic sarkar (Ashutosh Rana). The islanders are asked by the sarkar to perform certain island-friendly tasks, for which they earn money, in a fake currency. Each week, the contestant who has made the lowest amount of money is evicted.

Hindi Hai Hum that runs Monday to Thursday is the story of a bunch of people who join an English-language class in the belief that learning the English language will remove all the impediments that people from small towns face to enjoy the good life.

The channel will be available on digital plaforms and cable systems, and can be down linked from IntelSat-10, 68.5 Degree East.

Turner International also plans to launch an English channel soon, which will offer a mix of Hollywood movies and popular serials.