MUMBAI: When Star News launches a crime channel by the middle of next year it will have a programme model at its disposal.

Foxtel which claims to be Australia's leading subscription television provider will launch A&E television network's (AETN) newly-created Crime & Investigation Network in January.

The network will investigate the drama of real life crime, from how forensic scientists solve crimes using cutting edge technology to what makes serial killers tick and meeting the men and women who risk their lives to put criminals behind bars.

The new channel will replace TechTV, which will cease to be on Foxtel Digital's platform after 31 December. After Comcast acquired TechTV in May it decided to withdraw the international feed of TechTV for territories including Australia.

While the new channel will be managed, programmed and broadcast by Foxtel it will draw on the extensive programming library and resources of AETN.

The new channel further extends the successful relationship between AETN and Foxtel, which also carries localised versions of The History Channel and The Biography Channel.

The new channel will go behind-the-scenes on criminal investigations, take an in-depth look at police work on some of the world's most fascinating cases and observe how technology helps solve 'cold cases'.

Viewers will see biographies of infamous murderers, serial killers and outlaws, explore the world of science and how it catches killers and live the life of a cop as you cruise the beat.

Foxtel claims to be connected to more than 1.1 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution in Australia. Foxtel is owned by Telstra Corporation (50 per cent), News Corp (25 per cent), and Publishing and Broadcasting (25 per cent). Foxtel had launched its new digital cable and satellite service in March.