Seoul – Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) and Prasar Bharati, Broadcasting Corporation of India, have signed a carriage deal to bring international TV channel KBS World to India. KBS World is available on DD Direct +, a free-to-air DTH platform available to Indian households, joining 42 other channels approved by the Indian government. Before launching KBS World, KBS costume drama Emperor of the Sea was available dubbed in Hindi, every Sunday 8.30 – 9am, on DD National. KBS World is available without any monthly charge to 5 million viewers with DD Direct +’s set-top box, as well as to 7,000 Koreans residing in India and 70,000 Korean visitors. The carriage agreement was sealed following negotiations between KBS and Prasar Bharati for more than one and a half years. KBS World offers dramas, entertainment shows, documentaries, news and current affairs, and kids’ shows, with more than 15 hours of programs a day provided with English subtitles. Currently, KBS World is available in the US, Japan, China, India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Audiences in 11 countries in Latin America, 4 countries in Europe, and 22 countries in Middle East also have access to KBS World. KBS World is available to a total of 40million households across 54 countries as of February 2008.