MUMBAI: Zee TV, Zeel?s Hindi general entertainment channel, has become a 24/7 service offering in Canada for the first time with the launch of Zee TV Canada, the American subsidiary of the Indian media and entertainment major said.

Zee TV, which had discontinued its deal with Asian Television Network (ATN), has signed a distribution deal with Canada?s largest distributor of third language television services Ethnic Channels Group (ECG).

Zee TV Canada will be available on Rogers, Bell and Telus starting from 1 February, Zee Americas said in a statement.

Zee Americas CEO Suresh Bala commented, "The impact and growing importance of the South Asian diaspora in Canada cannot be overstated. And with the launch of Zee TV Canada, we are now in a position to address this significant opportunity.

"Zee has and continues to remain the leading South Asian media brand globally. 650 million viewers in 169 countries around the world are testament to its popularity. We are fortunate to have found an energetic and progressive partner in ECG and we are confident that this partnership will help us to exponentially grow our business in Canada."

"As the largest distributor of international TV in Canada, the launch of Zee TV is a great addition to our Group," added ECG President Hari Srinivas.

Zee now has six channels in Canada catering to the diverse group of viewers which includes ETC Punjabi, Zing, Zee Salaam, Zee Tamizh and Zee Cinema.

ATN had signed an agreement with Zeel (then Zee Enterprises) in 2001 securing the exclusive rights to programming from Zee TV.

MUMBAI: Zee Group chairman Subhash Chandra has announced the creation of a $250 million content development, production, co-production and acquisition fund for Veria Living, the network devoted to showcasing wellness programming and related content across multiple media platforms.

Chandra said that the establishment of the $250 million fund is yet another step in Zee Groups? strategic five-year plan to further expand Veria Living?s presence in the US and beyond as the go-to-source for all things health and wellness.

?We are firmly committed to growing the Veria brand across television, Internet, mobile and OTT platforms. By focusing on original content development and production we?re not only looking to build a broad US audience for Veria Living, but also setting the table for the expansion of the brand globally over the next couple of years,? he said.

Veria Living claims of offering the world?s largest line-up of first-run, original programming ? connecting viewers in a contemporary and accessible manner to the benefits and joys of living a healthy lifestyle.

The New York-headquartered Veria Living television network is available throughout the US on Dish Network, Verizon FiOS and Frontier Communications subscribers.

Veria.com, the website, complements the network by extending the Veria Living philosophy through online recipes and nutrition, holistic health tips, body-mind conditioning and all-natural products.

The news comes on the heels of Veria?s recent announcement regarding its new primetime programming line-up, launch of its new comprehensive website (www.Veria.com) and rebranding as Veria Living scheduled for a January 2012 premiere. The network also recently unveiled a new lifecycle logo combining Eastern influence with Western design (sunshine yellow and tangerine orange) and its new tagline ? ?Go Well?.

Veria Living and Zee TV suite of Indian language channels are managed in the US by Asia TV USA and overseen by its CEO Suresh Bala Iyer. Iyer said, ?We not only want to appeal to our core 35-44 Adult and 25-54 Women demos, but to all Americans who are looking to lead healthier lives. Veria Living helps them to achieve this by passionately advocating for quality and vitality of life by following proven wellness and nutritional activities. This fund will go a long way towards helping us to achieve our goals while creating the most entertaining content possible that fits our mission.?

Chandra founded Veria as way to promote wellness to the West, was in New York to receive the 2011 International Emmy Directorate Award.