LITTLETON,
Colo., Oct 15, 2001 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- DISH Network(TM)(NASDAQ: DISH),
the fastest-growing U.S. direct broadcast satellite television company,
announced that it will be offering Arirang TV, the only English-language
Korean channel, to consumers in the United States on DISH Network
channel 653 starting Thursday, Oct. 18. Arirang TV is available a la
carte for the monthly price of $14.99.
DISH Network is the first to offer Arirang TV nationwide, which
broadcasts live from Korea 24 hours a day. Arirang TV showcases
entertaining and informative programs for viewers of every age and
background, featuring news, sitcoms, dramas, quiz shows, financial
updates, music, documentaries, and Korea's latest box office releases
(sub-titled in English and Spanish).
Arirang TV, owned by The Korea International Broadcasting Foundation,
launched in 1999 and now reaches more than 40 million households in
Asia-Pacific and Europe as well as North and South America.
"Arirang TV provides immediate access for our DISH Network
customers to Korean news and culture," said Michael Schwimmer, vice
president of Programming at DISH Network. "DISH Network now offers
news from halfway around the world to the more than 2 million Korean
Americans as well as non-Koreans living in the U.S."
"Our programming targets not only first- and second-generation
Koreans living in the United States but also non-Koreans who are
interested in Korea," said Nicolas Hong with Arirang TV's
Distribution and Marketing. "We realize that this is a great
opportunity for many Korean Americans to stay in touch with current
events in Korea as well as to introduce their children to the cultural
riches of Korea. Also, with the popularity that Arirang TV has received
from Asia-pacific and Europe, we have no doubt that Arirang TV will
capture the hearts of non-Koreans in the U.S in no time."
Arirang TV features a variety of programming, including Korea's
hottest pop music on Pops In Seoul; the most beloved dramas of Korea
such as "All about Eve," "Memories," and
"Burning Dawn;" health programs like Discovery of Eastern
Medicine; Arirang News for the latest political, business, cultural
news; and Korea This Week, which offers in-depth analysis of the issues
and events of the past week. The channel is broadcast in both English
and Korean, with many Korean-language programs broadcast with English
subtitles.
DISH Network is the leader in offering foreign language programming
with more than 30 channels catering to languages from around the world,
including Arabic, Greek, Russian, Japanese and more. Arirang TV is
available from the 61.5 degrees West Longitude and 148 degrees W.L.
orbital locations. For more information or to order Arirang TV, call
1-800-333-DISH (3474) or 1-888-327-4253 (Korean), visit
www.dishnetwork.com, or call your local DISH Network retailer.
