Astro to launch India unit in 2007

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KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Reuters) – Malaysian pay-TV firm Astro All Asia Networks Bhd expects to launch its Indian operations this year and the unit is expected to break even from 2012, the company said on Thursday.

India had 71 million television homes in 2006, and is forecast to become the top pay television market in Asia-Pacific by 2015, according to estimates by Media Partners Asia.

Astro’s biggest shareholder is Malaysian billionaire tycoon Ananda Krishnan, who also has businesses in gaming, power, mobile phones and leisure.