TORONTO – Asian Television Network International is adding two new channels to its roster, with the launch of what it believes is Canada’s first 24-hour Sikh spiritual channel and first South Asian youth-oriented Punjabi music channel.
The ATN-Sikh Channel and ATN-Brit Asia Channel will debut in Canada on April 18, carried by Bell Fibe TV in Metro Toronto and Montreal and will be available by free preview for 60 days. The addition of the two new channels brings the total of ATN’s Punjabi channels to six. ATN said Canadian licensed services will showcase programs produced in Canada by or for ATN, as well as content from the UK-based Sikh Channel and Brit Asia channel, for which ATN has acquired exclusive rights.
The company said the Sikh Channel is the first of its kind, broadcasting Sikh religious and cultural shows round the clock across the world. It will also feature live Gurbani readings from several gurdwaras, Sikh places of worship, across Canada.
ATN Brit Asia will pick up most of its programming from Brit Asia UK which delivers British Asian music, entertainment, news, interviews, chat shows, reality TV shows and more for a young Asian audience.
“We have been very privileged to have been associated with our vast Sikh community with respect to our Canadian television programming for over three decades and are now delighted to launch a dedicated Sikh spiritual, cultural and educational channel,” said Dr. Shan Chandrasekar, president and CEO of ATN, in a release.
