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DIRECTV Expands International
Programming Platform to Include AASTHA Television Channel
DIRECTV Customers Now Have Access to Leading Spiritual Network in India
EL SEGUNDO, CA, Dec. 9, 2004 -
DIRECTV, Inc., the leading and
fastest-growing digital television service provider in the United States,
today announced it has expanded its South Asian programming lineup with the
launch of AASTHA Broadcasting Network, India's most prominent spiritual
network. AASTHA Television Channel is now available on DIRECTV channel 2005
on an a la carte basis for $14.99 per month.
"We recognize and respect the fact that spirituality is integral to
the very essence and fiber of the South Asian culture and AASTHA will fill
those social and spiritual needs," said Aaron McNally, vice president,
International, DIRECTV, Inc. "We are delighted to have concluded an
affiliation agreement with AASTHA, which is already a household name in
India and to the South Asian community around the world. AASTHA will
provide a link to India's cultural roots, customs and society to the more
than two million South Asians living in the United States."
Kirit Mehta, AASTHA's chief executive officer said, "We have joined
the DIRECTV platform to be offered alongside other leading South Asian
programming that DIRECTV is bringing to United States. With our programming
and DIRECTV's South Asian offering that spans all genres and languages of
interest to the South Asian viewers, DIRECTV will now offer the most
comprehensive South Asian multi-cultural programming platform available in
America. We look forward to the relationship we will have with DIRECTV as a
partner, affiliate and friend. With this expansion we will strive to
satisfy the deeply felt need of spirituality from the vast community of
Indian residents in the United States."
The multi-year agreement with AASTHA brings to viewers in the United States
the top-rated programs that have made AASTHA India's No. 1 spiritual
network and preferred network to Asian Indians in Asia, Africa, Australia
and Europe. The AASTHA lineup features spiritual discourses,
socio-spiritual-cultural ceremonies and events, meditation techniques and
devotional music. It charts the holy places of pilgrimage, elucidates on
traditional festivals and focuses on Indian vedic sciences like ayurveda,
yoga, astrology, crystal therapy and aroma therapy.
AASTHA broadcasts programming in Hindi, Gujarati and English. In 2005, the
channel will air locally originated programming as well.
DIRECTV has developed two new base programming packages exclusively for
customers who subscribe to the new international services - BASIC ($9.99
per month) and PREFERRED CHOICE ($29.99 per month). The BASIC package
offers up to 50 channels including local channels (where available), music
and shopping channels. In addition to those channels offered in the BASIC
package, the PREFERRED CHOICE package includes a variety of relevant
English-language channels such as ESPN, CNN, The History Channel, Food
Network, TNT, MTV and the Fox Movie Channel.
All new international programming on DIRECTV will be broadcast from the
95-degree West Longitude (WL) orbital slot, requiring customers to use a
new 36-inch dish capable of receiving programming from 95 degrees WL, as
well as DIRECTV's primary orbital slot at 101 degrees WL. In some markets,
customers who subscribe to a local channels package will require a second
smaller dish.
To order or inquire about residential or commercial pricing for these
channels, consumers can call (800) 378-4179.
About AASTHA
AASTHA Television Channel of the Mumbai headquartered AASTHA Broadcasting
Network Limited - a Mumbai (Bombay) Stock Exchange Listed public company is
India's No. 1 Socio-Spiritual-Cultural Network. It was launched
internationally in 4 continents of Asia, Africa, Europe and Australia in
the year 2000. AASTHA is the world's first 24x7 satellite television
network broadcasting India's rich socio-spiritual-cultural heritage and
currently reaches over 20 million households with viewership in excess of
100 million. AASTHA caters to the vast Asian Indian populace spread
worldwide, who have, as a race and ethnic group eternally placed
socio-spiritual-cultural values above everything else. For more information
visit www.aasthatv.com and www.aasthasansar.com.
About DIRECTV, Inc.
DIRECTV is the nation's leading and fastest growing digital television
service provider with more than 13.5 million customers. DIRECTV and the
Cyclone Design logo are registered trademarks of DIRECTV, Inc., a unit of
The DIRECTV Group Inc. (NYSE: DTV). The DIRECTV Group is a world-leading
provider of digital multichannel television entertainment and broadband
satellite networks and services. The DIRECTV Group is 34 percent owned by
Fox Entertainment Group, which is approximately 82 percent owned by News
Corporation. For more information visit www.directv.com
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