Muslim channel reaches one million U.S. homes

[sonz]

A Muslim-oriented TV network launched in 2004 expanded its reach from 10,000 to more than one million homes in the United States, Detroit Free Press reported.

Initially, Bridges TV was a premium pay channel. But now it became a basic-cable offering on several cable and satellite systems.

The channel will also start broadcasting in Canada after winning approval from the Canadian Radio & Television Commission.

Bridges TV is one of the first English-language cable stations aimed at the rapidly growing Muslim demographic.

The channel mainly focuses on lifestyle and entertainment programs, including Muslim cartoons, educational and travel shows as well as soccer and cricket matches. It also includes daily news and current events program with the aim of giving more objectivity than other channels.

Founder and Chief Executive Muzzammil Hassan said the transition in markets including Detroit, Chicago, Boston and Washington allows more viewers to come across Bridges TV. "That completely changes and gives America a completely different and unique perspective that America has never had available before," he said. "That has been the biggest driving factor."

Bridges TV “really fills a void," said Adnan Mirza, a director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR). "There's a clear disconnect between popular American media and the Muslim audience. ... Americans are increasingly interested in better understanding Middle Eastern cultures, and Muslim Americans want to be better understood. Bridges TV creates a public platform for this dialogue."

The station's name “Bridges TV” was chosen to highlight its purpose of building bridges between American Muslims and the rest of the American society.

[north_malaysian]

Whoa... high possibility to watch Muslim channel in USA than my "Islamic" country Malaysia. Ansar Channel only available on pay tv services MITV which is available only in Kuala Lumpur. We in Northern Malaysia can see none.:laugh: