Comcast to Shutter AZN Television

CENTENNIAL, January 28: Comcast
Corporation has announced that it will shut down AZN Television, its
English-language channel targeting Asian Americans, in April, following
“considerable review of the network's financial situation."

According to press
reports, a spokeswoman said that Comcast will still offer 11 networks and two
VOD services for Asian-American viewers. Additionally, AZN's The Asian
Excellence Awards will move to
Comcast's E! Entertainment network this year.

In a statement, Comcast
noted: "AZN Television's last day of broadcasting will be April 9. This
difficult decision was made after considerable review of the network's
financial situation."

Comcast acquired the
Colorado-based AZN Television in 2004 as part of a larger transaction with
Liberty Media. Over the years, Comcast tried to make the channel work with
staff cuts and investments in original programming. However, AZN had trouble
securing broader distribution beyond about 13.9 million homes mainly in
Comcast. The network also failed to attract enough advertising revenue.

—By Irene Lew