DIRECTV launches its first Ukrainian television channel (07/09/06)

DIRECTV launches its first Ukrainian television channel

by Matthew Dubas

NEW YORK - On Monday, June 5 DIRECTV Inc., the nation's leading digital television service provider, and Studio 1+1 International, an international version of the Ukrainian television channel 1+1 from Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. (CME), celebrated the launch of the first Ukrainian TV channel - Studio 1+1 International - on the DIRECTV platform.

Ukrainian TV stars, Ukrainian American community leaders, media, and Ukrainian church authorities gathered at the Ukrainian Institute of America in New York for a press conference and a special reception devoted to the launch.

In a press release from DIRECTV, Aaron McNally, vice-president of DIRECTV International, said, "During such a historic time for Ukraine, Studio 1+1 International will be an important source of information for more than 800,000 Ukrainians living in the U.S. and will help them connect to their home country."

"This agreement with DIRECTV highlights our strategic focus on leveraging our station brands and content to create new revenue streams," said Michael Garin, CEO of CME. "We are pleased to bring an international version of 1+1's extensive news and entertainment programming to the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians living in the U.S."

Opening DIRECTV's June 5 press conference was director of Global Media Strategies, Sandy Kornberg, who commented on the launch saying, "two diverse media companies, DIRECTV and 1+1 International have come together to bring the Ukrainian American community the best in available Ukrainian programming."

Commenting on the benefits of 1+1 programming, Stephen Rock, senior marketing director, said "with DIRECTV and 1+1, the power of television helps people to maintain ties with their homeland in their native language." Studio 1+1 International is just one of over 40 channels that DIRECTV broadcasts from overseas.

Representing Studio 1+1 International, producer Anatoly Yarema thanked the UIA and DIRECTV for hosting the conference and reception, and then highlighted the beginnings of 1+1 from 1995. Mr. Yarema also underscored 1+1's commitment to a higher standard in Ukrainian television and thanked CME for allowing this event to progress quickly.

Regarding the importance of Ukrainian programming in America, Mr. Yarema said, "We have Ukrainians of different backgrounds that can be united through 1+1 programming." He went on to say, "1+1 aims to maintain ties with the homeland and promote U.S.-Ukraine relations, like the graduation of Ukraine from the Jackson-Vanik Amendment."

Questions from the audience were taken by the representatives of DIRECTV and 1+1. For Canadian viewers, the audience was informed that 1+1 International would be available through Globecast.

Studio 1+1 International offers popular programming including "Idu Na Vy," with Eduard Lozovyy and Vyacheslav Pihovshek, on the most sensitive issues of modern Ukraine; "Tasty Country," hosted by Oleksander Ponomaryov, who offers his view on how to cook Ukrainian-style food; "TSN News," which offers news and information about what is happening in Ukraine and around the world; "The Court Show" hosted by Ihor Hodetsky and Iryna Kalynska; "Hercules Games" co-hosted by the world's strongest man alive, Vasyl Virastiuk; and "Funny House," a sitcom that follows the lives of a family running a roadside diner.

Studio 1+1 International is a Ukrainian-language television channel that is the leader in the production of original Ukrainian programming and one of the most popular channels for Ukrainian viewers. The channel, which is available on DIRECTV channel 2148 for $14.99 per month, will offer news, entertainment and political programming to Ukrainians living in the United States and to all interested in Ukrainian culture.

For more information on 1+1 programming, readers can call 888-244-0556 or log on to www.directv.com.

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