ITV

Tag: Aaron McNally

  • ATN launches Cricket Plus channel in Canada

    ATN launches Cricket Plus channel in Canada

    MUMBAI: Asian Television Network International Limited (ATN) Canada’s South Asian Broadcaster has launched ATN-Cricket Plus.

    This is a sports channel with prime focus on cricket. ATN has entered into a strategic programming alliance with DirecTV, which has launched Cricket Plus all across the US.

    Earlier the Dubai based Taj TV had reached an agreement to produce DirecTV’s Cricket Plus Channel. Taj TV operates Ten Sports in India, and has experience in running sports channels for a variety of clients through its Dubai Media City operation. That currently handles Ten Sports Middle East, Ten Sports India, Ten Sports Pakistan, ART Prime Sport, Showtime Sportsnet, Showtime Sportsnet America and Citrus TV.

    ATN Cricket Plus in Canada will showcase some live and many competitions on a delayed basis. ATN Cricket Plus will compliment the existing successful Commonwealth Broadcasting Network (CBN) channel across Canada. ATN says that it has had many firsts to its credit in Canada dealing with cricket.

    It was the first to bring the Live Satellite feed of the World Cup Cricket back in 1986 to Canada. Since then ATN has brought in several ICC tournaments, Championship Trophies, one day internationals, Twenty 20’s, test matches including the Ashes and many world class games featuring countries like, India, Pakistan, England and Australia. ATN is also the official Broadcast Media Sponsor of the Canadian National Cricket Team, which is scheduled to participate in the World Cup soon.

    ATN Canada president and CEO Shan Chandrasekar says, “Through Cricket Plus we are extremely pleased to be associated with DirecTV one of the world leaders in entertainment, news sports, and the largest DTH platform in the world. DirecTV has redefined the sport of cricket for television entertainment. It has been a pleasure working with DirecTV executives.

    DirecTV VP international programming Aaron McNally says, “We admire the pioneering role played by ATN with its dedication and track record over the past several years in actively promoting and consistently broadcasting cricket across Canada.

    “We already have long-term agreements with ATN for live games from various countries and are delighted to enter into this exclusive agreement with ATN on Cricket Plus for Canada”.

    Along with cricket coverage the channel will also broadcast daily highlights, sports news bulletins as well as other sports relating to the South Asian community living in the United States and Canada, such as field hockey. Cricket Plus has acquired the rights to broadcast live, all major international men’s and women’s hockey world cup and champions trophies.

    It will also showcase Canadian cricket events, talk shows on cricket and cricket celebrity specials.
     

     

  • Taj TV to produce Cricket Plus channel for DirecTV in the US

    Taj TV to produce Cricket Plus channel for DirecTV in the US

    MUMBAI: Taj TV has reached an agreement with US pay TV platform DirecTV to produce its new Cricket Plus Channel which goes on air later this month.

    Taj TV operates the channel Ten Sports in India.
    The 24 hour cricket channel has rights to all ICC competitions for the North American territory as well as cricket from the West Indies, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Zimbabwe.

    DirecTV will broadcast matches live, on a pay-per-view basis, while Cricket Plus will show delayed coverage of matches as well as broadcasting same day highlights.

    Along with the cricket coverage the channel will also broadcast daily sports news bulletins as well as other sports relating to the South Asian community living in the U.S. such as hockey. Cricket Plus has acquired the rights to broadcast live all the major international hockey events including the men’s and women’s world cups and the Champions Trophies.

    DirecTV VP international programming Aaron McNally says, “Cricket Plus is an exciting new addition to our cricket programming lineup and we believe it will attract a large and loyal following among DirecTV customers. With its 24-hour, in-depth coverage, this is the perfect channel for cricket lovers and we’re pleased to be the exclusive provider of Cricket Plus in the United States.”

    The Dubai based Taj TV says that it already has experience in running some of the best known sports channels for a variety of clients through its Dubai Media City operation, currently handling Ten Sports Middle East, Ten Sports India, Ten Sports Pakistan, ART Prime Sport, Showtime Sportsnet, Showtime Sportsnet America and Citrus TV.

    Taj Television CEO Chris McDonald said, “Taj TV is delighted to have entered into this agreement with DirecTV. With the expertise within our organisation working on Cricket Plus, the US market is assured of a first class cricket channel.”

  • DirecTV expands Intl programming platform with Korean language package

    DirecTV expands Intl programming platform with Korean language package

    MUMBAI: DirecTV is continuing to grow its international programming platform, WorldDirect, with the addition of three leading Korean-language networks – MBC, YTN, and Christian Television Systems (CTS).

    In addition, DirecTV also offers the Seoul Broadcasting System (SBS), a top-rated Korean network, which launched on the WorldDirect platform last year.

    SBS, MBC and YTN will be available as part of the new DirecTV KoreanDirect package, which is currently available to DirecTV customers nationwide for $26.99 per month. CTS will be available on an a la carte basis for $4.99 per month, according to an official release.

    DirecTV International VP Aaron McNally said, “DirecTV is offering the Korean community living in the United States not only the best Korean-language programming lineup, but also the leading English-language program offering as well. We are truly a one-stop shop for the best television viewing experience available. By partnering with the leading networks in Korea, DirecTV is able to provide a superior programming lineup compared to its competitors, and deliver a programming package that keeps the Korean community informed, entertained and connected to their homeland.”

    SBS, a top-rated Korean network, has designed its programming to feed the needs of all its viewers by providing content that is both informative and entertaining. MBC

    MBC is a top-rated, 24-hour Korean network. “M” stands for “Munwha” in Korean, which means “culture” in English. MBC offers programs such as news, sports, cultural programs, variety shows, drama, comedy and documentaries.

    YTN is the only 24-hour a day, comprehensive Korean news channel. The network, encompassing local branches and 100-plus foreign correspondents bringing news from over 50 major cities around the world, provides Korean-Americans with up-to-the-minute news and events coverage from Korea and around the world.

    Founded by the Korean Primary Christian Denomination, CTS is a gospel broadcasting channel serving Christian Koreans in the United States. For more information on how to receive KoreanDirect, customers should call (800) 378-3309.

    The DirecTV WorldDirect platform has launched 39 channels that deliver a wide variety of new programming in multiple foreign-languages, including Russian, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Bengali, Mandarin, Cantonese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Italian and Ukrainian, to underserved ethnic markets throughout the United States.

    DirecTV customers will need to use a WorldDirect services satellite dish that is capable of receiving both international and English-language programming. In some markets, customers who subscribe to a local channels package will require a second smaller dish.