Launched May 8, 2004 Country Canada Headquarters Markham | Broadcast area National Founded 2004 | |
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Owned by Asian Television Network Formerly called ATN ARY Digital (2004-2012) | ||
ATN Urdu is a Canadian exempt Category B Urdu language specialty channel that is owned by Asian Television Network (ATN). It is a general entertainment service, airing programming that appeals to the entire family including comedies, serials, talk shows, music, spiritual programs and more. Foreign programming on ATN Urdu is primarily derived from ETV Urdu, an Urdu language channel from India.
History
In November 2000, ATN was granted approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) to launch a television channel called Urdu Channel, described as "a national ethnic Category 2 specialty television service targeting the Urdu-speaking community."
The channel launched on May 8, 2004 as ATN ARY Digital under a licensing agreement with ARY Digital, a top rated channel from Pakistan.
In December 2012, the channel was re-branded ATN Urdu due to the expiration of the programming agreement with ARY. As of January 3, 2013, ATN Urdu no longer airs any programming from ARY Digital as the rights are now held by a different broadcaster.
On August 30, 2013, the CRTC approved Asian Television Network's request to convert ATN Urdu from a licensed Category B specialty service to an exempted Cat. B third language service.