Sun Direct

Sun Direct is a joint venture between the Astro Group of Malaysia and the SUN Group of India. Sun Group entered into an MoU with the Astro group on 27 January 1997, when Aircel was not in existence. But, since the government of India did not allow the use of KU band transponders for DTH services, the project was put on hold, the firm said in a statement. After the DTH policy was announced by the government in December 2007, Astro picked up a 20% stake in Sun Direct TV. The stake was valued at approximately $115 million.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110721192704/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-02-16/news/28551941_1_astro-sun-direct-tv-dth-services Sun, Astro deny media reports of impropriety in deal]. The Economic Times. 16 February 2011 Sun Direct TV was registered on 16 February 2005.[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-tamilnadu/PIL-plea-against-Sun-DTH-services/article14844366.ece PIL plea against Sun DTH services]. Hindu.com. Retrieved on 17 January 2012. However, the failed launch of Sun Direct INSAT 4C resulted in Sun Direct's lack of transponders, delaying the launch.[https://www.rediff.com/money/2007/feb/21cas.htm Lack of transponders hits DTH expansioN]. Rediff.com. Retrieved on 17 January 2012. The service was finally launched on 18 January 2008, after availability of transponders from Indian National Satellite System.[http://www.blonnet.com/2007/09/22/stories/2007092251250500.htm Sun TV group’s special offer for DTH] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071021085848/http://www.blonnet.com/2007/09/22/stories/2007092251250500.htm |date=21 October 2007 }}

In December 2009, Sun Direct was launched in Mumbai, the country's financial capital, and announced its pan- India launch. By 2009 it became the leading DTH provider with 3 million subscribers.[https://web.archive.org/web/20090412142819/http://www.hindu.com/2009/04/09/stories/2009040956431500.htm Business : Sun Direct launches sD services]. The Hindu (9 April 2009). Retrieved on 17 January 2012.

On 7 July 2010, a power glitch in the Indian National Satellite System[http://www.isro.gov.in/update/09-jul-2010/insat-4b-spacecraft-affected-power-problem INSAT-4B Spacecraft Affected by Power Problem]. isro.org[https://web.archive.org/web/20100816133306/http://sify.com/news/power-problem-with-insat-4b-news-national-kimvadgjeee.html Power problem with Insat-4B]. Sify.com (12 August 2010). Retrieved on 17 January 2012. satellite turned down the DTH system partly and SUN Direct announced that the service would be free till all the services were restored. Partial service was restored on Indian National Satellite System Sun Direct with 193 channels. Meanwhile, SUN Direct is now transmitting 173 channels on MEASAT-3 for an uninterrupted transition of Sun Direct customers from the Indian National Satellite System at 93.5°E.[http://www.lyngsat.com/in4b.html Insat 4B at 93.5°E]. LyngSat. Retrieved on 17 January 2012. to MEASAT-3 at 91.5°E.[https://www.lyngsat.com/packages/Sun-Direct-91E.html Sun Direct on Measat 3 at 91.5°E]. LyngSat. Retrieved on 10 September 2017.

As of 2017, Sun Direct uses eight transponders equally split between MEASAT-3 and GSAT-15, with three being added in that year itself. HD channels are being beamed from the four transponders on GSAT-15.{{Cite web|url=http://www.televisionpost.com/dth/sun-direct-turns-profitable-at-net-level-for-full-fiscal-for-first-time/|title=Sun Direct turns profitable at net level for full fiscal for first time|last=TelevisionPost Team|date=18 July 2017|website=Television Post|quote=In FY17, Sun Direct added three transponders on GSAT 15. It has a total of eight transponders, equally split between Measat 3 and GSAT 15.}}{{Cite web|url=https://ultra.news/s-e/30259/sun-direct-launches-indias-cheapest-hd-pack-helped-technology|title=With New Tech, Sun Direct Launches India's Cheapest HD Packs|last=Eluvangal|first=Sreejiraj|date=4 April 2017|website=Ultra News|quote=At present, it is beaming its HD channels from four transponders located on ISRO’s newly launched GSAT-15 satellite.}}

In 2023, the company announced the forthcoming launch of Sun Direct GO, a subscription video-on-demand and over-the-top streaming service.{{Cite web |date=2023-06-19 |title=Sun Direct to Launch Sun Direct Go App - Journalism Guide |url=https://journalismguide.in/sun-direct-to-launch-sun-direct-go-app/ |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=journalismguide.in |language=en-US}} The platform was expected to offer a variety of content, including movies, TV shows, web series, live TV channels, and original content.{{Cite web | last=Mr.Leader |date=2023-10-20 |title=Sun Direct Go OTT app launched on Playstore – dthhelp for dth news and dth updates | url=https://www.dthhelp.net/sun-direct-go-ott-app-launched-on-playstore |access-date=2023-10-22 |language=en-US}}

{{reflist}}

• [https://www.sundirect.in Official website]

{{Sun TV Network}}

{{CATV_Africa,_Asia,_and_Oceania}}

{{DTH in India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sun Direct}}

Category:High-definition television

Category:Direct broadcast satellite services

Category:Television networks in India

Category:Indian brands

Category:Companies based in Chennai

Category:Telecommunications companies established in 2007

Category:Mass media companies established in 2007

Category:Sun Group

Category:Indian companies established in 2007

Category:2007 establishments in Tamil Nadu