Zee strengthens US presence with Dish, Sling TV
Rebecca Hawkes
| 21 June 2016
Indian television network Zee has sealed a distribution deal with Dish and Sling TV, bringing its combined reach across the US to 52 million homes.
ZeeNetworklogoThe Dish satellite network and the nascent digital platform Sling TV will carry 27 new channels in addition to the existing ten Zee channels they already offer their subscribers. Content on the channels will be available in 16 different languages in America, including Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Rajasthani and Urdu.
Sling TV and Dish will exclusively provide Zee’s premium on-demand library in the US, with a range of movies and over 400 video titles.
Zee is transitioning its direct-to-consumer services in the US to either Sling TV or authenticated access only. Sling TV will eventually become the exclusive over-the-top (OTT) provider in the US for all except one of Zee’s South Asian channels.
“We are very delighted to announce that with this deal, not only has our reach in the mainstream American market for our Z Living network quadrupled, but we will also now be serving the high potential Spanish language subscribers with two 24x7 networks ... Zee and Dish have been natural partners for the last 18 years and we both share our vision on future growth of pay TV in USA,” said Amit Goenka, CEO-International Broadcast Business, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL).
Chris Kuelling, senior vice president of programming for Sling TV and Dish, added: “Our agreement with Zee enables us to provide a vast amount of entertainment to fans of South Asian content, while also giving customers a more streamlined way to access and enjoy both linear and on-demand content.
“Zee shares our goal of growing the South Asian market, and together we are able to better serve this community, as well as the other language groups served by Zee.”
Among the Zee channels new to Dish and Sling TV audiences are Hindi channel &TV; two Spanish-language channels, Z Living Español and Zee TV Español; and two Brazilian channels, Zee TV Portuguese and Z Living Portuguese.
Arabic channels Zee Alwan and Zee Aflam, will also launch in the Dish Arabic Super Elite and the Arabic Mosaic Pack on Sling TV.
Rebecca Hawkes
| 21 June 2016
Indian television network Zee has sealed a distribution deal with Dish and Sling TV, bringing its combined reach across the US to 52 million homes.
ZeeNetworklogoThe Dish satellite network and the nascent digital platform Sling TV will carry 27 new channels in addition to the existing ten Zee channels they already offer their subscribers. Content on the channels will be available in 16 different languages in America, including Spanish, Portuguese, Arabic, Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil, Bhojpuri, Oriya, Rajasthani and Urdu.
Sling TV and Dish will exclusively provide Zee’s premium on-demand library in the US, with a range of movies and over 400 video titles.
Zee is transitioning its direct-to-consumer services in the US to either Sling TV or authenticated access only. Sling TV will eventually become the exclusive over-the-top (OTT) provider in the US for all except one of Zee’s South Asian channels.
“We are very delighted to announce that with this deal, not only has our reach in the mainstream American market for our Z Living network quadrupled, but we will also now be serving the high potential Spanish language subscribers with two 24x7 networks ... Zee and Dish have been natural partners for the last 18 years and we both share our vision on future growth of pay TV in USA,” said Amit Goenka, CEO-International Broadcast Business, Zee Entertainment Enterprises Limited (ZEEL).
Chris Kuelling, senior vice president of programming for Sling TV and Dish, added: “Our agreement with Zee enables us to provide a vast amount of entertainment to fans of South Asian content, while also giving customers a more streamlined way to access and enjoy both linear and on-demand content.
“Zee shares our goal of growing the South Asian market, and together we are able to better serve this community, as well as the other language groups served by Zee.”
Among the Zee channels new to Dish and Sling TV audiences are Hindi channel &TV; two Spanish-language channels, Z Living Español and Zee TV Español; and two Brazilian channels, Zee TV Portuguese and Z Living Portuguese.
Arabic channels Zee Alwan and Zee Aflam, will also launch in the Dish Arabic Super Elite and the Arabic Mosaic Pack on Sling TV.