NEW YORK – India-based satellite television channel Zee TV, in partnership with Ethnic Channels Group Limited (ECG), is launching Zee TV Canada on February 1 on Rogers, Bell and Telus.
Asian Television Network International (ATN), which serves Canada's Asian community, recently decided not to renew its licensing agreement for it rights to Zee TV's Hindi programming when it expires on January 31, 2013.
Zee TV will now be available to Canadian viewers as a 24/7 service for the first time. Canadian viewers who enjoyed Zee’s top programming such as Pavitra Rishta, Punarvivaah and SaReGaMaPa on ATN, will now be able to watch their favorite shows throughout the day says Zee TV.
Zee TV said that while it relationship with ATN was a good one, it needed to address the “immediate and ever-growing consumer need for more top notch Zee content.”
“The impact and growing importance of the South Asian diaspora in Canada cannot be overstated. And with the launch of Zee TV Canada, we are now in a position to address this significant opportunity. Zee has and continues to remain the leading South Asian media brand globally. Its 650 million viewers in 169 countries around the world are testament to its popularity. We are fortunate to have found an energetic and progressive partner in ECG and we are confident that this partnership will help us to exponentially grow our business in Canada,” said Zee Americas CEO, Suresh Bala.
“Ethnic Channels Group is privileged to partner with the number one South Asian Channel in the World. Canadian viewers will be enthralled by ZEE’s programming repertoire” said Slava Levin Co-founder and CEO of Ethnic Channels Group.
“As the largest distributor of international TV in Canada, the launch of Zee TV is a great addition to our Group” added Hari Srinivas, President of Ethnic Channels Group.
Zee now has six channels in Canada catering to the diverse group of viewers. ETC Punjabi, Zing, Zee Salaam, Zee Tamizh and Zee Cinema will now be joined by Zee TV Canada as a 24/7 channel.
Viewers can subscribe to Zee Canada on Bell (Satellite Channel # 679 and Fibe Channel #838); Rogers (Channel #697) and Telus (Satellite Channel #679, and Optik TV will be adding the channel soon.
