The Bharti group has applied to the government for a licence to operate direct-to-home television services.

The group's application follows similar ones by Anil Ambani, Tata-Sky, Subhash Chandra and Sun TV.

Confirming the development, Mittal said, "Yes we applied for DTH at the time we decided to go for IPTV." While Tata Sky and the Zee group have already started services, Anil Ambani is expected to hit the market some time in the middle of next year.