International Media Distribution

{{Infobox company

| name = International Media Distribution

| logo = International Media Distribution.PNG

| type = Subsidiary

| foundation = {{start date and age|1996}}

| location_city = Centennial, Colorado

| location_country = United States

| key_people =

| area_served =

| industry = {{ubl|Ethnic media|Broadcasting}}

| services = {{ubl|Broadcasting|Marketing}}

| parent = NBCUniversal Media Group

| caption =

| homepage = {{URL|imediadistribution.com}}

}}

International Media Distribution (IMD) (formerly International Networks), a division of NBCUniversal, is a leading American provider of in-language networks which facilitates the distribution of Asian, European, Middle Eastern and Hispanic channels and Video On Demand services across all platforms including, cable, satellite and OTT.

History

Originally launched as International Channel Networks in 1996, the company was owned by Liberty Media (which was the majority owner with a 90% stake) and JJS II Communications, LLC (which owned the remaining 10% share).{{cite web |url=http://www.internationalchannel.com:80/aboutus/index.jsp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030403223346/http://www.internationalchannel.com:80/aboutus/index.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-date=2003-04-03 |title=International Channel Networks |access-date=March 14, 2018 |quote=International Channel Networks is the trade name of International Cable Channels Partnership, Ltd. (a company 90% owned by Liberty Media Corporation [NYSE: L and LMC.B] and 10% owned by JJS II Communications, LLC).}} They owned and operated The International Channel or I-Channel, which was a basic cable channel that launched in 1990{{cite web |url= http://www.internationalchannel.com/aboutus/ |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20000816065236/http://www.internationalchannel.com/aboutus/ |url-status= dead |archive-date= 2000-08-16 |title=IC - About IC |website=International Channel |access-date=March 14, 2018 |quote=The company programs and distributes a basic cable television channel, International Channel. This service provides programming from around the world in more than 20 Asian, European and Middle Eastern languages. Programming includes news, sports, movies, music and general entertainment programs. International Channel is available to more than 8 million cable television subscribers in the United States. The channel launched in 1990.}} and featured multilingual, multi-ethnic programming to audiences in the United States. The channel offered programming from Europe, Asia & the Middle East in over 25 languages. In 1998, the company began offering a tier of premium networks featuring various channels from around the world. This tier has since grown and currently consists of over 50 networks. In 2000, they added channels in the Persian, Russian and Japanese languages. Around that time, more cable head-ends were carrying at least The International Channel and some of its premium networks.{{cite news |title=TV Talks to Immigrant Markets |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-15-mn-12567-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 15, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250411233953/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2001-jan-15-mn-12567-story.html |archive-date=April 11, 2025}}

Image:International Networks.png

In July 2004, as part of a larger deal, International Channel Networks was sold to Comcast. In 2005, Comcast re-branded the International Channel as AZN Television, a channel catering to Asian Americans and featuring several original programmes. Its non-Asian programming was removed, redirecting viewers to its distributed premium channels.{{cite news |title=Renamed Channel Aims at 'AZN' Appeal |url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/renamed-channel-aims-azn-appeal-370592 |work=NextTV}} The company was subsequently renamed International Networks.

On April 9, 2008, AZN Television ceased operations as Comcast decided to shut down the channel due to distribution and advertising difficulties.[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6525891.html Comcast Pulls Plug on AZN], Broadcasting & Cable, January 28, 2008

On March 10, 2009, Comcast decided to rename the company as International Media Distribution. The re-brand was undertaken to reflect the growth of the company and to emphasize the focus which is now on the distribution of premium international channels from around the world.[http://www.internationalnetworks.com/news/articles/2009_03_10-IMD.aspx International Networks Is Now International Media Distribution], International Media Distribution, March 10, 2009 In 2011, Comcast completed its purchase of NBCUniversal,{{Cite news|date=2011-01-29|title=Comcast completes NBC Universal merger|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-comcast-nbc-idUSTRE70S2WZ20110129|access-date=2020-05-27}} thereafter IMD was reorganized under the international television distribution arm of NBCUniversal rather than the Comcast Entertainment Group.

Premium Television Networks

=Current=

International Media Distribution’s portfolio includes over 50 networks from across the world including:

Arabic

ART America

Chinese

CCTV-4
CGTN Documentary
CTI-Zhong Tian Channel
Phoenix North America Chinese Channel
Phoenix InfoNews Channel
Phoenix Hong Kong Channel (Cantonese)
CGTN (English)
Jubao (FAST/AVOD)
Great Wall (expanded package of mainland Chinese channels){{cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.chinatvcorp.com/main/index.php/en/about |website=China TV Corporation}}