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1st August 2017: Guide on UK Asian TV changes

With a number of changes expected to take place amongst UK Asian TV on Tuesday 1st August, BizAsiaLive.com brings readers a comprehensive guide on what to expect.

Which Sky customers will be affected?
From Tuesday 1st August, all current six Sky Asia Pack channels will become part of the Sky Original Pack, meaning a separate subscription will not be required to watch these channels. All these services, with a number of other channels will be available to all Sky customers.

That means both existing and new Sky TV customers can watch ZEE TV, Entertainment Television and B4U Movies as part of any Sky TV subscription.

Will Virgin Media customers be affected by the changes?
No. The changes will only affect Sky TV customers.

Will HD variations of these channels be available?
Yes from 1st August, Sony Entertainment and Sony MAX will both launch HD variants of their channels, available in the higher Sky bundle (Box Sets). They will be available with Star Plus HD. Further details below.

Here are the full changes….

The new Sky Original Pack
The basic Sky Original Pack will be getting bigger with a number of Indian TV channels joining Star Plus, Star Gold, Life OK and Star Utsav in the Sky Original Pack. Just like the Star TV Network, the following channels will be available to all Sky customers:
– ZEE TV
– ZEE Cinema
– ZEE Punjabi
– Zing
– &TV
– B4U Movies
– B4U Music
– Sony Entertainment Television
– Sony MAX
– Sony Mix
– Sony SAB

Launch of Sony TV’s HD channels
Sony Pictures Networks will be launching Sony Entertainment Television HD and Sony MAX HD on the Sky platform. Both channels will be available in the higher-tier Sky bundle (Box Sets), along with other Sky HD entertainment channels. Sony Pictures Networks will be the first Asian TV broadcaster to have two HD channels in the UK.

India Vs Sri Lanka cricket in HD on Sony MAX HD
Sony MAX HD will become the first UK Asian TV broadcaster to air cricket in HD in the UK. It will air the India V Sri Lanka from Wednesday 26th July on Sony MAX SD, with HD transmission launching on Tuesday 1st August to Sky subscribers with the higher-tier Sky bundle (Box Sets) or above.

End of Ummah Channel
Ummah Channel will disappear from UK screens. It is currently available on Sky EPG 820 and will air its final show on Monday 31st July.