Australian channel to launch in Asia

Broadcasters from Australia and the UK are backing a 24/7 channel dedicated to Australian news, business and sport that is set to launch in Asia next month.

Australia Channel will be available across Asia from November 1 after its parent company, Australian News Channel (ANC), agreed a deal with Hong Kong-based distributor Lightning International, which operates a number of channels across the continent.

ANC, the owner and operator of Sky News Australia, is a joint venture between Australian broadcasters Seven Network, Nine Network and UK satcaster BSkyB.

The new channel will be aimed at Australian expats as well as those interested in Australian current affairs, ANC said.

News, presented by former CNN anchor Stan Grant and various other Australian anchors, will feature coverage from Australia’s Parliament in Canberra and the Australian Stock Exchange, as well as sports updates.

Lightning International was set up in 2011 by former ITV exec James Ross, who also launched Bloomberg TV in Asia in the 1990s.