The Indian Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh welcomed Al Jazeera English in a meeting with its Managing Director Al Anstey and India bureau chief Anmol Saxena, saying “Al Jazeera is gaining quite a reputation worldwide. I wish them success for their launch in India.”

The channel announced the launch on Dish TV enabling Al Jazeera English to reach 11.7 million households across India and will be available to over 48 million individuals with the channel available in the family pack tier on Channel 618.

“We are delighted to be launching on Dish TV today”, said Anstey.

“India is an emerging leader in today's globalised world, and a critical country for Al Jazeera English to broadcast across. We are confident that our coverage will be of enormous interest and value to audiences across India. Through our vast network of reporters worldwide, we provide eye-witness reports from all corners of the globe. We are uniquely placed to deliver honest and in-depth coverage,' he said.

The Managing Director, Dish TV, Jawahar Goel said “Dish TV being the pioneer and market leader with many industry firsts to its credit, in yet another first for Dish TV, we are proud to have Al Jazeera channel on our platform. Al Jazeera's launch on our platform will keep our family of 11.7 million subscribers connected and updated with latest in current affairs, issues and happenings across the globe. Dish TV has been a trend setter in offering its viewers the best content, service and quality and we will continue to bring the best of the content for our valued subscribers”.

Al Jazeera English is an international news channel, holding over 70 bureaus around the world which span six different continents. Since being established in 2006, it has continued to grow in reach and popularity due to its global coverage, especially from underreported regions. The channel currently broadcasts to over 250m households across 130 countries, a number that is expected to grow as the channel expands throughout India.

The international news provider has operated a bureau in New Delhi since its establishment five years ago. Al Jazeera has produced a showreel of its highlights since 2006 for its India launch which is now available for public view.

The DTH market has been one of significance with broadcasters. According to Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the first three months of 2011 saw a climb in the number of DTH subscribers in India registered with private service providers by 3.51 million to a grand 35.56 million, making it a promising platform for international news broadcasters such as Al Jazeera English.