International Media Distribution

International Media Distribution, commonly known as IMD, is an American television distribution division of NBCUniversal. Its business centers on bringing international-language networks and related video-on-demand services to audiences in the United States through cable, satellite, broadband, over-the-top and other platform arrangements. Rather than operating primarily as a single consumer-facing channel, IMD functions as a distributor and portfolio manager for services aimed at linguistic, cultural and diaspora audiences. The business originated in 1996 as International Channel Networks. It was established around the existing International Channel, also known as I-Channel, a basic cable service that had launched in 1990 with multilingual and multi-ethnic programming. The channel carried programming associated with Europe, Asia and the Middle East in more than 25 languages. International Channel Networks was initially controlled by Liberty Media, which held a 90 percent interest, while JJS II Communications, LLC held the remaining 10 percent. In 1998, the company expanded beyond its original basic channel by creating a premium network tier featuring services from different parts of the world. That international network portfolio grew over time and eventually encompassed more than 50 services, including television networks, subscription video-on-demand products and, later, free ad-supported and advertising-supported streaming offerings. The portfolio has included Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, South Asian, Spanish and Vietnamese services. Examples have included TV5MONDE, TVP Polonia, The Filipino Channel, Phoenix channels, CCTV and CGTN services, TV Asia, Eros Now, VePlus and SBTN. The company changed ownership in July 2004, when International Channel Networks was sold to Comcast as part of a larger transaction. In 2005, Comcast repositioned the International Channel as AZN Television, an Asian-American-focused network. Non-Asian programming was removed from the channel as the business emphasized its premium international services and distribution relationships. AZN Television also carried original programming, but the channel faced continuing difficulties in distribution and advertising. AZN Television ceased operations on April 9, 2008. The closure allowed the broader business to concentrate more fully on distributing premium international networks rather than operating a general multilingual channel. On March 10, 2009, Comcast renamed International Networks as International Media Distribution. The new name reflected the division's expanded role and its emphasis on distributing international channels across multiple platforms. Following Comcast's completion of its acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2011, IMD was reorganized within NBCUniversal's international television distribution structure rather than remaining within the Comcast Entertainment Group. Its later portfolio has continued to reflect changes in the international television market, including the addition of on-demand, FAST and AVOD services alongside conventional linear networks. IMD's strategic role is to aggregate, package and distribute services from external international media partners and NBCUniversal-related operations to specialized audiences, helping channel owners reach viewers who want programming in their preferred languages or from their countries and regions of origin.

International Media Distribution developed from the American multilingual cable television business built around the International Channel. The channel began operating in 1990 as a basic cable service intended to serve viewers seeking programming from multiple regions and in multiple languages. Its schedule drew on content associated with Europe, Asia and the Middle East and was available in more than 25 languages. This made it an early example of a United States television service organized around international and multicultural viewing rather than a single national market. International Channel Networks was launched in 1996 to operate and expand this business. Liberty Media held a 90 percent stake and JJS II Communications, LLC held the remaining 10 percent. The company initially operated the International Channel while developing a larger distribution platform for international services. In 1998, it introduced a premium tier carrying channels from around the world. That move shifted the enterprise from dependence on one general multilingual channel toward a broader portfolio model based on packaging and distributing specialized networks. The portfolio expanded during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Persian, Russian and Japanese-language services were added around 2000, and an increasing number of cable head-ends carried the International Channel and selected premium networks. The business served communities with language-specific viewing needs, including immigrant and diaspora audiences, and worked across cable and satellite distribution arrangements. In July 2004, International Channel Networks was acquired by Comcast in a larger deal. Comcast then undertook a major repositioning of the consumer-facing channel. In 2005, the International Channel became AZN Television, a service designed for Asian American audiences. The rebrand removed the channel's non-Asian programming and introduced several original programs, while viewers seeking other international content were directed toward the company's premium distributed services. The new format did not overcome the channel's commercial problems. AZN Television ultimately closed on April 9, 2008, after Comcast determined that distribution and advertising conditions were insufficient to support continued operation. The closure also clarified the strategic direction of the underlying business. On March 10, 2009, Comcast renamed International Networks as International Media Distribution. The change placed less emphasis on operating a single branded channel and more emphasis on the distribution of premium international networks. Under this model, IMD could represent and package services from many countries and language groups for United States television and digital platforms. Comcast completed its acquisition of NBCUniversal in 2011. Following that transaction, IMD was reorganized under NBCUniversal's international television distribution organization instead of the Comcast Entertainment Group. Its portfolio has subsequently included a wide selection of linear networks as well as subscription, free ad-supported and advertising-supported on-demand services. The services associated with IMD have covered Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, South Asian, Spanish and Vietnamese programming. The division's continuing relevance lies in its ability to connect international content providers with specialized audiences through cable, satellite, OTT and other distribution platforms.

• 2011

  Reorganization within NBCUniversal

  [1]International Media Distributionen.wikipedia.org

  After Comcast's acquisition of NBCUniversal, IMD is reorganized under NBCUniversal's international television distribution arm.

• 2009

  International Networks renamed IMD

  [1]International Media Distributionen.wikipedia.org

  The company adopts the International Media Distribution name to reflect its emphasis on distributing premium international services.

• 2008

  AZN Television closes

  [1]International Media Distributionen.wikipedia.org

  AZN Television ceases operations on April 9 after experiencing distribution and advertising difficulties.

• 2005

  International Channel becomes AZN Television

  [1]International Media Distributionen.wikipedia.org

  Comcast rebrands the general multilingual channel for an Asian American audience and removes its non-Asian programming.

• 2004

  Comcast acquisition

  [1]International Media Distributionen.wikipedia.org

  International Channel Networks is sold to Comcast in July as part of a larger transaction.

• 2000

  Persian, Russian and Japanese services added

  [1]International Media Distributionen.wikipedia.org

  The distribution business adds channels serving Persian-, Russian- and Japanese-language audiences.

• 1998

  Premium international network tier introduced

  [1]International Media Distributionen.wikipedia.org

  The company begins offering a premium tier of channels from different parts of the world, creating the foundation for its later multi-network portfolio.

• 1996

  International Channel Networks is launched

  [1]International Media Distributionen.wikipedia.org

  International Channel Networks is established to operate the International Channel and develop a broader international television distribution business.

• 1990

  International Channel launches

  [1]International Media Distributionen.wikipedia.org

  The International Channel, later also called I-Channel, begins as a basic cable service offering multilingual and multi-ethnic programming to viewers in the United States.

A business-to-business distributor and portfolio operator for international-language television and streaming services, with a focus on multicultural and diaspora audiences in the United States.

• Television distribution · 1998

  International-language linear networks

  IMD distributes a broad portfolio of television networks serving specific language and national-origin audiences. The portfolio has included services from Arabic, Chinese, Filipino, French, German, Greek, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, South Asian, Spanish and Vietnamese media providers. Distribution may involve cable, satellite and other multichannel platforms.

• Premium television · 1998

  Premium international channel packages

  The premium tier is the central portfolio model developed after 1998. It brings together specialized services from different regions and makes them available through pay television distributors. Examples associated with the portfolio include TV5MONDE, TVP Polonia, The Filipino Channel, Phoenix services, TV Asia and VePlus.

• Video on demand

  International video-on-demand services

  IMD's distribution activities have expanded beyond linear television to include subscription and transactional or packaged on-demand services. Examples listed in the portfolio include Eros Now, Filipino On Demand, TV5MONDE Cinema On Demand and other language-focused offerings.

• Streaming distribution

  FAST and AVOD services

  The portfolio also includes free ad-supported and advertising-supported streaming services, reflecting the movement of international television distribution toward OTT platforms. Listed examples include Jubao, Aliwko, Desi Play TV, TV Asia Comedy, Life OK, Novelísima and Pelimex.

• Asian American television channel · 2005

  AZN Television

  AZN Television was a Comcast-era repositioning of the International Channel for Asian American viewers. It featured Asian-focused programming and several original programs after non-Asian content was removed. The channel was discontinued in 2008 because of distribution and advertising difficulties.

• 2011

  Integration into NBCUniversalM&A

  Background

  Comcast completed its acquisition of NBCUniversal, requiring changes to the organizational placement of Comcast's television businesses.

  Action taken

  IMD was reorganized under NBCUniversal's international television distribution arm.

  Aftermath

  The division continued operating as part of NBCUniversal's international distribution structure.

  Source

• 2009

  Renaming as International Media DistributionStrategy

  Background

  The former International Networks business had evolved toward a multi-platform distribution model involving numerous international premium services.

  Action taken

  Comcast changed the division's name to International Media Distribution on March 10, 2009.

  Aftermath

  The new identity emphasized distribution of international channels across cable, satellite and emerging digital platforms.

  Source

• 2008

  Closure of AZN TelevisionStrategy

  Background

  AZN Television faced distribution and advertising difficulties in the United States.

  Action taken

  Comcast discontinued AZN Television on April 9, 2008.

  Aftermath

  The business concentrated more heavily on distributing premium international channels rather than operating a single broad international network.

  Source

• 2005

  Repositioning of the International Channel as AZN TelevisionStrategy

  Background

  Comcast sought to give the consumer-facing channel a more defined Asian American identity while using the broader portfolio to distribute other international services.

  Action taken

  The International Channel was renamed AZN Television, non-Asian programming was removed, and original programming was developed for the new target audience.

  Aftermath

  The channel was later closed after difficulties securing sufficient distribution and advertising support.

  Source

1. 1International Media Distributionen.wikipedia.org