ABC ties up Indian contract

ABC show Q & A will export its weekly arguments to India, in a costly production move to mark a new deal between them and the country's public broadcaster.

ABC panel show Q & A will export its weekly arguments to India, in a costly production move to mark a new deal between Aunty and the subcontinent's public broadcaster.

Tony Jones will anchor the special November 18 episode, to be recorded live from Gurgaon's Kingdom Of Dreams entertainment centre before an audience of Australian expats and Indian citizens, and a panel "including a Bollywood star," an ABC publicist has confirmed. Local viewers can offer comment and lodge video questions on issues relating to the business, political and cultural exchange between Australia and India.

In a statement, a spokeswoman for Q & A said: "They'll be talking Australia's relationship with India, India's economic development ... and maybe even the cricket."

The special marks a new partnership between ABC International and DD Direct, a direct-to-home satellite television service operated by India's public broadcaster, Prasar Bharati. The deal will see the Australia Network extend to around 25 million additional viewers in the subcontinent.