MGM studios announced on Tuesday a distribution deal with News Corp.'s Star India and a leading cable channel to tap into India, the world's third-largest cable television market.The agreement with Star India and Den, or Digital Entertainment Network, will help MGM reach a cable television market of more than 70 million homes across India.

"We are very excited about rolling out in India in a big way. This is a key milestone," Bruce Tuchman, executive vice president, told reporters in Mumbai. "MGM has an opportunity to accelerate our channel's reach to audiences in a booming market."The top markets in terms of cable television are China, the United States and India.

MGM movies are now available in India through a direct-to-home satellite platform, and the company aims to reach a larger audience through cable television.Rupert Murdoch's Star Group Ltd. and Den distribute 22 channels in India that range from news to regional movies and documentary programs.