ZEE TV Cuts Ties with ATN to Launch 24/7 Network

Appoints Ethnic Channels Group to represent the brand in Canada - Gets full distribution from day one!

NEW YORK, Jan. 30, 2013 /CNW/ - ZEE TV, the #1 South Asian Entertainment Network in partnership with Ethnic Channels Group Limited (ECG), Canada's largest distributor of third language television services, launches ZEE TV Canada!

ZEE TV will 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. ZEE TV Canada will be available on Rogers, Bell and Telus starting from February 1^st!

ZEE's relationship with ATN has been a happy one. In Canada, however ZEE has outgrown the relationship and felt the need to address the immediate and ever-growing consumer need for more top notch ZEE content.

ZEE Americas CEO, Suresh Bala said "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. 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".

"Ethnic Channels Group is privileged to partner with the #1 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 6 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!

ATN viewers can subscribe to ZEE Canada on Bell (Satellite Channel # 679| Fibe Channel #838); Rogers (Channel #697) and Telus (Satellite Channel #679| Optik TV Channel Coming soon)

For more information on how to subscribe to ZEE TV Canada, visit
www.zeetvcanada.ca or call toll free 1-855-WANT-ZEE (1-855-9268-933)
today!

ABOUT ZEE AMERICAS
ZEE TV - the name that has become synonymous with unparalleled quality in entertainment - has been a dominant player in broadcasting content for more than 17 years in the national and international space.  As an Indian channel, ZEE TV is committed to supporting the values and traditions that appeal to South Asians across the globe. 

In July 1998, ZEE TV expanded its presence in the international space by establishing itself as a mainstay in American households, reaching more than 2 million viewers.  As the undisputed leader in the market for over 12 years, ZEE TV has successfully evolved its content to meet the changing needs of the market across genres and languages.  As the exclusive distributor of the Zee channels in the Americas, Asia TV USA Ltd. caters to a wide audience with a growing number of channels, including ZEE Cinema, Zing, ZEE Business, TEN Cricket, ZEE Marathi, ZEE Kannada, ZEE Telugu and Alpha ETC Punjabi & ZEE Smile.

ABOUT ETHNIC CHANNELS GROUP
Ethnic Channels Group (ECG) is a Canada-based television broadcasting, distribution and communications company, specializing in multicultural television channels for the North American market.

ECG currently owns and operates 46 television channels in the following languages: Hindi, Russian, Vietnamese, German, Tagalog, Arabic, Tamil, Portuguese, English, Hebrew, and Urdu.

In addition, ECG distributes various foreign services, acting as the official distributor on the broadcaster's behalf. ECG services are currently available through the following providers: Rogers Cable, Shaw Cable, Bell TV, Bell Fibe, Telus, NexTV, MTS Allstream, and Cogeco in Canada and Dish Network in United States.

SOURCE: Ethnic Channels Group