DISH Network® Announces Launch of News Corp’s
STAR Channels

From left, Sona Kalaria, President of Dreamakers; Caitlin Quattromani, Director of International Programming at DISH Network; David Wisnia, STAR’s Senior Vice president for Distribution and Sales and Head of its North American office; Sagnik Roy, Marketing Manager, STAR; Tarun Pal, Associate Director, South Asian Services, DISH Network, at the press conference and dinner cruise

Englewood, Colo.: DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ: DISH), a leading US satellite TV provider, hosted a well-attended dinner cruise in New York, to commemorate the launch of two leading STAR India channels STAR India PLUS (Ch. 716) and Star India ONE (Ch. 718), as part of DISH Network’s “Hindi Mega Pack” channel package. These new channel additions will yield no additional cost to subscribers.
DISH Network and STAR announced the official channel launch on March 19, and hosted the New York event to promote the new programming service among prominent members of the Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Indo-Caribbean communities in the New York area.
The launch event attracted a record number of media organizations, with more than 75 Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi journalists from the print, TV, radio and online segments. The event was hosted by Sona Kalaria, president of Dreamakers, DISH Network’s marketing agency, who described the STAR launch on DISH Network as “the jewel that needed the right crown.”
“With the launch of STAR India PLUS and STAR India ONE, DISH Network now has 14 Hindi language channels in its Hindi Mega Pack and is available for only $54.99,” Caitlin Quattromani, director of International Programming at DISH Network, said in her remarks.
“We’re thrilled that our popular Hindi programs will be able to reach more viewers across America than ever before,” noted David Wisnia, STAR’s senior vice president for Distribution and Sales and head of its North American and European offices. “Throughout Asia, STAR is a household name and we are pleased to be able to bring DISH viewers a slice of top rated entertainment from back home.”
The panel also included Tarun Pal, associate director of South Asian Services at DISH Network and Sagnik Roy, STAR’s marketing manager, who both addressed an extended session of questions from members of the South Asian community. In reference to a question about DISH Network’s South Asian services, Pal said that DISH Network wants to come close to the South Asian pulse.
“We are the fastest-growing and are branded as the Desi DISH Network,” Pal noted.
STAR India PLUS and STAR India ONE are the two leading channels in India. Besides the long running soap opera “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi”, STAR’s programs include the upcoming Hindi version of “Are You Smarter than a 5th Grade” hosted by Bollywood icon Shah Rukh Khan. STAR India ONE, which targets the younger generation, features hits such as “The Great Indian Laughter Challenge” and “Dill Mill Gaye.”
Customers can contact DISH Network at 1-800-333-DISH (3474) or their local retailer for more information on how to subscribe to DISH Network. To learn more about DISH Network’s international programming offers, visit www.dishnetwork.com.

 

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