NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: Sun Group has applied for a direct-to-home (DTH) license, planning to enter an arena already occupied by Subhash Chandra's Dish TV. Also planning to join the race is Space TV, a Tata-Star joint venture, which is awaiting clearance for launching DTH operations.

Sun's DTH venture will be through a separate company called Sun DirectTV. It is a 100 per cent Indian-owned company.

Speaking to Indiantelevision.com, Sun Network CMD Kalanithi Maran says the application was made about five months back. "We are perhaps the only 100 per cent Indian-owned company to have made an application for DTH. The plan for entering the non South market is in line with this. The DTH operations will be through a separate entity within the group company," he adds.

Confirming the application, the government today said that apart from Space TV, another serious contender for DTH was Sun TV
 

Speaking at the 13th Convergence India, the I&B minister Jaipal Reddy said that "There are currently 2 more applicants for a private DTH license. Their applications will be positively considered, provided terms and conditions are met with. They will not be discouraged. One of them is Space TV and the other applicant is Sun TV"
 
 

The I&B minister also proudly drew attention of the delegates to the fact that DD's DTH service was the only free to air platform in the world.