NEW DELHI: BBC World Ltd has announced its first major affiliate distribution deal in the US with Cablevision Systems Corporation.

The new deal comes just two months after BBC World Ltd. announced a partnership agreement with Discovery to distribute the 24-hour channel in the US, an official statement from the British broadcaster said.

Later this month, BBC World News will be available to all iO: Interactive Optimum digital cable customers throughout Cablevision's New York metropolitan service area.

Richard Sambrook, director of the BBC Global News Division, in a statement said, "Studies show us that there's a huge increase in US audience demand for international news, but domestic US networks seem to be focusing on fewer and fewer international stories. The BBC's massive newsgathering strength means we're able to bring audiences breaking news stories from anywhere in the world within minutes. We are very pleased to have secured our first major distribution agreement in the US."

BBC World News has access to 2,000 journalists, 250 foreign correspondents and more than 50 newsgathering bureaux across the world.

"BBC World News is a quality addition to our iO digital cable service, and we are pleased that our customers will be the first in the nation to experience this compelling programming service," said Patricia Gottesman, Cablevision's executive vice president of product management and marketing.