number of possibilities to broaden its appeal and its revenue. STAR had already been downplaying NDTV's profile. Its contract with NDTV did not give STAR editorial control, and STAR's management were uneasy when India government criticised NDTV for its reporting of the Gujarat riots in 2002. New channels 2003: With the end of its contract with STAR, NDTV launched its own news channels in English (NDTV 24x7) and Hindi (NDTV India). Star TV was keen to renew NDTV's contract but was no longer willing to give it full editorial control. STAR retained the STAR News brand, but channel continued only in Hindi. Media observers expected that NDTV would struggle to survive on its own. After much speculation about its future, it announced a distribution partnership with Sony Entertainment Television's One World Alliance. This alliance with Sony gave NDTV a strong base from which to establish a new profile. NDTV had been a success story in terms of influence, but its recent criticism of the Indian government has led to the depletion of its viewship. STAR's decision [after it ended its contract with NDTV] to concentrate on Hindi news bulletins and to drop its English service is also a significant indicator of the balance between profitability and influence in the crowded Indian television news market. NDTV has been on a cost-cutting spree for several quarters now, as it seeks to stay relevant in a competitive market. 2005: NDTV launched business news channel NDTV Profit. Distribution network NDTV channels have an overseas audience among the Indian diaspora in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Asia Pacific, the Middle East and South Africa, thanks to deals with satellite operators, such as Sky and DirecTV. To accelerate the global push, NDTV formed a joint venture with a subsidiary of Kuala Lumpur's Astro All Asia Network, taking a 20% stake. In 2006, it launched: Astro Awani, a Bahasa-language channel in Indonesia. NDTV 24x7 broadcasts in the UK on the Sky (Channel 509) and Virgin Media (Channel 621) platforms, in the USA on the Dish Network, Spectrum and Xfinity platform, in South Africa on DSTV, in Canada available via a partnership with Asian Television Network, in Australia on the Vision Asia and Fetch TV (Under Taj Mahal Pack and Basic Pack) platform, Singapore on Singtel's Singtel TV (Between Since 2008 to 2011, Return From 2015), Starhub TV (Since 2013) platform and in Sri Lanka on Dialog TV