Indiantelevision.com Team

(18 October 2007 9:10 pm)

MUMBAI: To expand Hindi and Mandarin language programming in North America, Star has set up a sales office in Los Angeles. It will market and drive distribution of Star networks in North America.

The new office in North America is headed by Star vice president distribution and sales David Wisnia.

Star is looking to expand distribution of its current slate of four channels, which are currently available on DirecTV in the US. The channels include Star Plus, Star One, Star News and Vijay.

Star will also market the Hindi movie channel Star Gold and several Mandarin language channels. Star's Mandarin language channels include the entertainment channel in Taiwan Star Chinese Channel and Channel [V].

Star's COO Laureen Ong said, "Asians, particularly those of Indian and Chinese descent, represent the largest growing ethnic group in the United States after Hispanics. We know the U.S. demand for Indian and Chinese programming is growing, and Star is well positioned to offer thousands of hours of quality, original programming to this under-served market."