The Hong Kong-registered China Educational Channel (CEC) is preparing to deliver its TV output directly to the US. Dedicated to the ‘promotion of Chinese language and culture’, CEC aims to use the platforms offered by Sky's Sky&Earth TV operation in key US markets.
Targetting an estimated 80m-plus viewers in the US through satellite broadcasting and DirecTV's cable network, CEC and Sky&Earth TV plan to launch broadband video streaming services on the Internet. ‘China’s soft power will be recognised only when its cultural products successfully entered the key markets and attracted mainstream audiences,’ says CEC President, Li Shiqiang.
Sky&Earth TV Chairperson Susan Pattis described the cooperation as a chance to bring original Chinese culture programming to West ‘to erase misunderstandings between East and West’.
Sky&Earth TV is expected to end its test run and begin operation on 23 January, – Chinese New Year's Day.
