[October 05, 2004] DIRECTV and International Channel Networks Launch First Vietnamese-language Channel on DIRECTV Programming Service EL SEGUNDO, Calif. --(Business Wire)-- Oct. 5, 2004 -- Saigon Broadcasting Television Network, First and Only 24-hour Vietnamese-language Channel Originating in U.S., will be Available Nationwide in the New DIRECTV VietnameseDirect(TM) Programming Package DIRECTV, Inc., provider of the nation's leading digital multichannel television service, and International Channel Networks (ICN) today announced that Saigon Broadcasting Television Network (SBTN), the first and only 24/7 Vietnamese-language channel originating in the United States, is now available on the new DIRECTV(R) VietnameseDirect(TM) service. Created by a joint venture involving International Channel Networks and Saigon Broadcasting Network, Inc., SBTN will now be available for the first time nationwide to the more than 1.8 million Vietnamese Americans living in the United States. SBTN programming is produced mainly in the United States, specifically for the Vietnamese American community. The content consists of news, talk shows, sports, children's programs, cultural and history, and general entertainment and variety programs. "DIRECTV serves a customer base that is made up of many different ethnicities and cultures and we understand the importance of international programming for those customers," said Mitchell Stern, president and CEO, DIRECTV, Inc. "SBTN offers programming designed for the Vietnamese population living in the United States and will enable Vietnamese-speaking residents to enjoy entertainment programming that is relevant to their lifestyles and interests. We are excited to be working with ICN to add SBTN as our first programmer on the VietnameseDirect service." "International Channel Networks is committed to increasing the distribution of all our international partner channels and provide in-language programming to ethnic customers across the U.S. and we are very excited to be working with DIRECTV to expand the reach of SBTN, " said Steve Smith, Managing Director, International Channel Networks. "SBTN provides exceptional programming for the Vietnamese community in the U.S. and is now poised to grow dramatically." SBTN offers popular programming including "SBTN News" and "Good Morning Saigon," which offer up-to-the minute news reports; "Law and Society," a legal show featuring lawyers and other participants who debate the latest issues facing Vietnamese Americans; "Lam Quynh's Music Show," which offers the best pop, alternative, and hip-hop music performers; and "Sports and Entertainment News," which delivers weekly sports action highlights, interviews with top players and full sports event coverage in soccer and martial arts. In addition, SBTN also broadcasts popular movies and dramatic series from Vietnam, China and Korea such as, "MBC Dramas" from Korea and one of the most highly rated dramas "Huh June," which depicts a moving story of a court physician during the Yi Dynasty. SBTN also offers original comedy programming including "Vietnamese Family Life in America" and "Animal World Eyes Witness." VietnameseDirect(TM) service is available to customers nationwide for $14.99 per month. DIRECTV also developed two new base programming packages exclusively for customers who have the VietnameseDirect service - BASIC ($9.99 per month) and PREFERRED CHOICE(TM) ($29.99 per month). These new packages include local channels where available, as well as a variety of relevant English-language, music and shopping channels and are designed for households where English is a second language. Residential customers who subscribe to any TOTAL CHOICE(R) programming package can also add VietnameseDirect on an a la carte basis. All new international programming 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. About DIRECTV, Inc. DIRECTV is the nation's leading digital multichannel television service provider with more than 13 million customers. DIRECTV, the Cyclone Design logo and DIRECTV PARA TODOS 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 Ltd. For more information visit www.directv.com. About ICN International Channel Networks (ICN) is a leading provider of in-language and multi-ethnic programming in the United States. The company delivers programming through ad-supported and pay TV channels, original productions and Video On Demand. International Channel is the company's ad-supported channel that consists of programming in more than 15 Asian, European and Middle Eastern languages. The channel also appeals to young Asian American viewers by providing a primetime programming block in English that speaks to their specific cultural interests. ICN also distributes 21 pay TV channels that offer specific in-language programming from a variety of international sources. For more information visit www.internationchannel.com. [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]