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Two new Asian channels make Sky launch

Two new channels have made their official launches on Sky Digital. Apna Bazaar and Raj TV are available on Sky’s channel line-up from today.

Dubbed as the Asian equivalent to QVC, Apna Bazaar will broadcast studio based shopping programming, a first for Asian television. Last month Vectone TV was quick to launch its shopping channel, whicn up until now has been showing teleshopping promos in conjunction with We Deliver TV and its own Vectone calling cards.

As revealed exclusively on Biz Asia earlier this summer, Apna Bazaar will initially telecast recorded shows and then by early next year the channel will incorporate live shows.

The channel will broadcast in Hindi, Urdu and English.It will be available 24 hours a day on Sky channel 829.

Another channel to make its low key launch is Raj TV, an entertainment channel broadcasting from Birmingham’s Mailbox, which is also the home of BBC’s local radio services. The channel is available on Sky channel 283 and will specialise in homegrown shows as oppose to imported shows from Asia. The channel will also later begin screening Hindi movies. In its first week Raj TV will broadcast show reels from Birmingham based artists (in music, film and general entertainment) with scheduled shows beginning in week two or three of the channel’s launch.

Raj TV is the UK’s only channel showcasing programming entirely shot by and for the British Asians. A few years ago, Channel East attempted a similar strategy but closed down a a year after its launch because of the hefty production costs involved. Last year rumours had been floating around that Channel East could be returning to Sky Digital but no confirmation from the broadcaster as yet.