Dish TV, India's first DTH service from ASC Enterprises, has signed exclusive DTH deals with five international channels: Eurosport news, Fashion TV, English music channel Trace by MCM, nature sports channel Malibu TV and lifestyle Platinum TV Network. The deal was signed during the MIP TV event Cannes recently.

The service has so far garnered over 100,000 subscribers. Dish TV, which started with 48 channels last year, added ESPN and STAR Sports recently to take its bouquet offering to 50. The company recently indicated its plans of doubling its channel bouquet to 100 by April-end.

The service, which offers channels from various genres, also includes exclusive international and movie channels such as FX (English action movies) and Smile TV (comedy) as part of its 'basic plus' package. Other channels include ones from Zee Turner distribution alliance, state-owned Doordarshan bouquet and BBC World, CNN, Aaj Tak and regional channels. The company web site says five exclusive international channels will be introduced shortly.

Dish TV is expected to be challenged by state-owned DTH service from Prasar Bharati, scheduled for April, and News Corp.'s joint venture with conglomerate Tata Group, which is scheduled for a Q4 launch.