OEN Adds International Networks

Optical Entertainment Network is going international.

The company signed a long-term digital Internet-protocol-carriage commitment with International Networks, a subsidiary of Comcast Corp.

The carriage agreement includes AZN Television, ART, CCTV-4, CTI, MBC, C1R, RTN, RAI, Rang-a-Rang, SBTN, The Filipino Channel, TV5, TV Asia, TV Japan, TV Polonia and TVK24.

Through OEN’s partnership with Houston-based Phonoscope, its “Fision” service will bring digital-IP-video, telephony and Internet service to 1.6 million homes passed in Houston over an existing fiber network covering most of the city. Fision is set to launch within the next 60 days, OEN said.

“Our AZN Television/International Networks contract is very important to us, and we are thrilled by their belief in our offerings,” OEN vice president of programming Jo-lynn Foo said in a prepared statement. “Houston is an ethnically diverse city, and we believe these networks will serve the needs of the community.”