Rogers Rounds Out Multicultural Roster
Canadian Operator Adds Four New Services In Lifting Ethnic Lineup To 78
By Mike Reynolds -- Multichannel News, 10/9/2008 6:32:00 PM
Rogers Cable Communications has added four new multicultural networks, boosting its roster of ethnic services in Canada to 78.
The operator recently added TL Novelas America, Sun TV, New Tang Dynasty and GMA Pinoy TV to its multicultural offerings, which far 
surpass the packages offered by Canadian cable competitors Shaw and Cogeco, and satellite providers Star Choice and Bell ExpressVu, according to a Rogers spokeswoman.
Canada’s largest cable player says the diverse lineup is reflective of census trends showing that the country’s foreign-born population is at its highest proportion in 75 years and that one in five citizens report that their mother tongue is neither English or French.
“In a diverse country like Canada, we’re setting the bar higher by offering the most multicultural channels,” said vice president of video product management David Purdy in a statement. “Rogers is committed to providing choice to our customers and delivering programming that reflects our ethnic diversity. We are dedicated to bringing services from around the world home, ultimately helping our customers stay connected with places of importance to them.”
TL Novelas América (channel 576) is a Spanish-language service broadcasting six Mexican soap operas daily; while SunTV (channel 619) is a Tamil-language general- entertainment service offering everything from movies, soaps and live news to serials, game shows and music programs.
New Tang Dynasty TV (channel 630) is an independe
nt Chinese broadcaster with over 50 reporting stations around the world presenting news, cultural variety shows, educational programs, sports, entertainment and business programs.
For its part, GMA Pinoy TV (channel 646) is a Tagalog-language (Filipino) general- entertainment service featuring a mix of entertainment fare and soap operas to internationally-acclaimed public affairs programming.
These channels are available to Rogers Digital Cable customers in Ontario.
