Any idea how this new channel is?
EchoStar Communications Corp. (NASDAQ: DISH, DISHP) is pleased to announce today that DISH Network™ is the first satellite television programming provider to offer Bollywood for You (B4U), a Hindi-language premium movie channel, in the United States.
Already the leading provider of international TV programming, DISH Network is proud to offer B4U, a 24-hour channel featuring hit movies straight from India’s celebrated Bollywood, from classic films to contemporary blockbusters. B4U offers five full-length films per day, and it is the only channel to air Indian movies in the United States less than six months after their theatrical release in India.
DISH Network is offering a FREE preview of B4U until March 15, 2000, for customers who have a satellite dish pointed at 61.5 degrees West Longitude. B4U will be available to DISH Network customers for $12.99 per month who also subscribe to DISH Network’s Zee TV or TV Asia at 61.5 degrees W.L. Zee TV ($14.99 per month) is a 24-hour multi-language channel with a mixture of programs from South Asia, featuring films, news, children’s programming and sports. Highlights include cricket matches from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. TV Asia ($14.99 per month) is a 24-hour entertainment and information channel for the Indian community featuring news, educational programs, dramas, music and movies in Hindi, English and Gujarati. Customers can purchase a package of Zee TV and TV Asia for the discounted price of $24.99 per month.
“DISH Network is excited to bring the popularity of Bollywood and South Asian cinema to our U.S. customers,” said Michael Schwimmer, vice president of Programming at EchoStar. “DISH Network offers the most complete programming for Americans from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. The addition of B4U, plus a one-month free preview, greatly enhances our Zee TV and TV Asia programming packages.”
“We really look forward to the U.S. launch,” said Ravi Gupta, chief executive officer at B4U. “Over the years we have enticed people to the cinemas by releasing runaway Bollywood box-office hits, such as Taal and Hum Saath Saath Hain. Now we take a step closer to people’s homes by presenting them with the opportunity to watch Bollywood films with B4U. With every step in this direction, B4U is focusing on its vision to be a global player and creating a significant platform for Bollywood on the international map.”
For more information about B4U, visit www.b4utv.com. Customers can also order popular U.S. programming with EchoStar’s new DISH 500 satellite receiver system. DISH Network offers a vast selection of all-digital programming with packages starting at $19.99 per month. Call 1-800/333-DISH (3474) for more information or visit www.dishnetwork.com.
DISH Network is EchoStar’s state-of-the-art DBS system that offers customers over 500 channels of digital video and CD-quality audio programming, fully MPEG-2/DVB compliant hardware and installation. EchoStar V, EchoStar’s newest, high-power direct broadcast satellite, launched on a Lockheed Martin Atlas IIAS rocket on Sept. 23, 1999. EchoStar V allows DISH Network to offer 500 channels, including local channels, Dolby Digital surround sound, interactive television and data services. DISH Network serves approximately 3.4 million customers and is a trademark of EchoStar Communications Corporation.