Dish Network has upped its ante of Asian programming.
The 14-million-subscriber satellite-TV provider has given One World Sports its first linear network launch. The sports service's content includes Japanese J-League soccer, Korean K-League soccer, Chinese C-League soccer and One Asia Tour golf.
"As the nation's largest provider of international channels, Dish Network is proud to be the first to offer One World Sports - a new and independent sports channel dedicated to Asian sports," Chris Kuelling, VP of international programming for Dish Network, said in a release. "We recognize that the number of international and Asian-American customers is expanding rapidly, and we are thrilled to now offer a wide variety of Asian sports to our viewers through the launch of One World Sports."
One Media Corp, Inc., the parent company to OWS, has operations and programming offices located in Dallas, Fort Worth, Atlanta, Las Vegas, New York, and Singapore.
ZEE TV, meanwhile, has launched five new channels exclusively on Dish, aimed at South Asian audiences in the United States. This marks the largest launch of channels by any South Asian broadcaster in the U.S., the programmer said.
Dish Network now offers Zing, ZEE Business, ZEE Smile, ZEE Kannada and ZEE Marathi, in addition to the previously launched channels ZEE TV, ZEE Cinema, Alpha ETC Punjabi and TEN Cricket. The new channels were recently launched in recognition of India's 64th Independence Day to give the South Asian community a gift of five channels in honor of this historic day, the programmer said.
It said the South Asian market is the fastest-growing ethnic segment in the U.S. and ZEE TV will cater to a wider segment of the South Asian audience with its five new channels, expanding the media company's reach on Dish Network to nine channels in total.
"Dish Network is proud of its history of providing the best variety of international programming in the U.S., and our extensive lineup of ZEE channels for the South Asian market is no exception," Kuelling said in a release. "ZEE TV's selection of channels - exclusive nationally to DISH Network -- allows the South Asian population in America to connect with their home country in a way not offered by any other television provider."
Zing, available in the Hindi Mega Pack and Hindi Masti Pack on Dish's channel 674, is dedicated to every facet of the South Asian music and entertainment scene. ZEE Business is a 24-hour channel presenting news and current affairs programs. It is available in the Hindi Mega Pack and Hindi News Pack on channel 644 on Dish. ZEE Smile is an entertainment channel featuring programs and movies that showcase comedy. It is available in the Hindi Mega Pack on channel 617. ZEE Kannada is a 24-hour channel that offers a way for the Kannada speaking Diaspora to stay connected to their culture. It is available in the Kannada Mega Pack on channel 643. ZEE Marathi is a Marathi-language entertainment channel that presents movies, reality shows and dramas. It is available in the Maha Pack on channel 619.
