ZEE TV, the South Asian Entertainment Network, is re-launching in partnership with Ethnic Channels Group Limited (ECG)
ZEE TV will now be available to Canadian viewers as a 24/7 service; for more than a decade, ZEE TV has been available for 10 hours via a deal with ATN.
Programmers say ZEE’s top shows, like Pavitra Rishta, Punarvivaah and SaReGaMaPa on ATN, will be available throughout the day long schedule. The channel will feature the same primetime programming that is popular in the U.S., along with Punjabi and English content in other dayparts that will best connect with the Canadian demographics.
ZEE TV Canada will be available on Rogers, Bell and Telus starting from February 1st.
ZEE says its relationship with ATN has been a happy one, but it felt the need to increase content availability and it outgrew that original relationship.
“The impact and growing importance of the South Asian diaspora in Canada cannot be overstated,” said ZEE Americas CEO, Suresh Bala. “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,” added Slava Levin Co-founder and CEO 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.
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).
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.