New Delhi, Aug 4 - Despite recession hitting the media industry, 143 TV channels have sought permission from the information and broadcasting ministry to uplink from India.

In addition, applications of 20 TV channels, uplinked from abroad, seeking permission to downlink in India are at various stages of scrutiny, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting C.M. Jatua told parliament Tuesday.

'Although no definite time frame can be indicated, once the applicant companies provide all required information and documents and clearances from other ministries are received, the applications are considered for permission in the minimum time frame,' Jatua said.

The information and broadcasting ministry has so far permitted 410 private satellite TV channels to uplink from India and 73 private satellite TV channels, uplinked from abroad, to downlink in India.

Fox News, ESPN News and Al Jazeera International are among the big international media brands whose applications are pending with the ministry, sources said.