Dish, Roku Ink Deal for New International Programming Service

23 May, 2012 By: Erik Gruenwedel

---

Dish Network and Roku May 23 said they have signed a deal whereby the satellite TV operator’s nascent DishWorld service now is available for streaming on the Saratoga, Calif.-based manufacturer’s media player.

DishWorld is the satellite operator’s platform ($19.99 per month) featuring foreign language programming, including sports, movies, news, children’s programming, music, cooking, talk shows and general entertainment.

At launch the service included an extensive offering of Arabic channels including MBC, Al Arabiya and Al Jazeera; Hindi channels such as aapka Colors, Sony, SET Max, Star Plus, Zee TV, B4U and aaj Tak; Willow Cricket and TEN Cricket with eight Cricket Boards and more than 150 days per year of live cricket; and seven of Pakistan’s most popular television channels, including GEO TV, ARY Digital and Hum TV.

In addition, there are four channels from Bangladesh, including ATN Bangla, Channel I, ETV Bangla and NTV Bangla; and TV Globo Internacional and PFC, which showcase the best Brazilian television programs and soccer events.

“Dish offers the largest selection of international programming among major pay-TV providers and its DishWorld service brings a tremendous amount of foreign language entertainment to our platform,” said Jim Funk, VP of business development at Roku. “We see this partnership as the perfect marriage of content and technology for streaming customers.”

The DishWorld service soon will feature “48-hour Rewind” that allows customers to watch any show aired in the last 48 hours on any of the channels featured in their subscription package.

“We view Roku’s extensive product distribution and established platform as an excellent match for our international content offerings as we look to develop markets that historically have been difficult for us to reach,” said Chris Kuelling, VP of international programming at DISH. “Consumers in apartment buildings, condos and dormitories who seek ethnic programming now have an easy way to enjoy their favorite channels without the need for a satellite dish.”

Roku streaming players begin at $49.99 and are available online at Roku.com and myriad retailers, including Walmart, Target, Best Buy, Costco and Amazon.
 

Bookmark it: