TV Asia
TV Asia was the first Asian TV channel to be founded in the UK in 1990. It was Europe's first entertainment and information channel for the South Asian community from the Indian subcontinent. Formerly a night block on Sky One, TV Asia was conceptualised and founded by Wasim Mehmood and Mohan Thariyan. Once TV Asia secured its Channel status in the UK in 1992, it was sold to a partnership formed between the top Indian talent represented by Amitabh Bachchan; after two successful years the channel was sold at a profit to Dolphin Group owned by Ketan Somaiya. Dolphin Group negotiated the deal for the channel to be sold to Subash Chandra's flagship Zee (India) and TV Asia was renamed as Zee TV (UK).
 | |
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| Slogan | "Home Away From Home" |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | Asia Star Broadcasting Inc. |
| Key people | H.R. Shah President & CEO |
| History | |
| Launched | 10 April 1990 |
| Closed | March 1995 in UK |
| Replaced by | Zee TV |
| Links | |
| Website | http://www.tvasiausa.com |
| Availability | |
| Cable | |
| Cablevision (United States) | Channel 243 |
| Comcast (United States) | check local listings |
| Columbus Cable (United States) | Channel 613 |
| Rogers Cable (Canada) | Channel 846 |
| Time Warner Cable (United States) | Channel 460 |
| Satellite | |
| Dish Network (United States) | Channel 700 |
| IPTV | |
| Bell Fibe TV (Canada) | Channel 807 |
| Verizon FiOS (United States) | Channel 1752 |
Some of the most popular shows on TV Asia and ZEE TV.UK were first ever Asian pop chart show 'Music Channel Charts' and drama serial 'French Toast', both were produced and directed by popular British Asian artist Yasir Akhtar and Ghazanfar Ali.
In New York City and North America, TV Asia was also the first coast-to-coast entertainment and information channel for the South Asian community settled in the U.S. In spite of different ownership, currently TV Asia has retained the same logo and style of programming and airs regularly scheduled programs in Hindi, English, Gujarati, and other regional languages, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The current Chairman/CEO of TV Asia is H.R. Shah.