(1 March 2008 3:10 pm)

MUMBAI: Pan-Asian broadcaster Star and GekTV will launch three Mandarin language Star channels on the US-based GekTV's IPTV platform on 15 March.

The three channels are Star Chinese Channel, an entertainment channel in Taiwan; Channel [V] Taiwan; and Star Chinese Movies 2, which is dedicated to the golden age of Hong Kong filmmaking.

The channels will launch on GekTV’s Mandarin package, which already includes TVB On Demand, Phoenix North America, Phoenix Infonews, Azio TV, Tai Seng Entertainment Channel, Tai Seng Movie Channel, Tai Seng Drama Channel, Fashion TV-Asia and I-Cable Entertainment News.

GekTV’s service is currently available throughout the US and will be launched in Canada in April 2008.

David Wisnia, who heads Star’s North American and European offices says, “GekTV has built a strong customer base across the US and we are proud to add our leading channels to their platform. This deal underscores our continued commitment to bringing our popular Mandarin language channels to audiences in North America, enabling them to keep up to date with Asia’s top content, be it music, variety shows, movies, game shows or dramas.”

GekTV president Bernard Soo says, “GekTV already has a stellar lineup of Asian channels and the addition of Star’s three channels will allow our subscribers access to the most comprehensive package of premium Chinese channels. GekTV is proud to partner with Star to deliver first-rate Mandarin programming to audiences in North America.”