MUMBAI: To take the entertainment quotient a notch higher, Disney India has taken its 24 hour Hindi movie channel - UTV Movies International to Canada. The channel that was launched on 17 July in Canada aims at drawing the audiences together to share their universal passion for Bollywood.

While UTV Movies International was launched first on Bell Fibe, it is also available across key platforms in Canada. And now, to take a step further to ensure better reach, the channel will be distributed through Asian Television Network (ATN).

According to Disney India VP – revenues, media networks Nikhil Gandhi, Canada is a very important market for the network as it has a large South Asian diaspora who are looking for fresh and distinctive Hindi movie content. He said, “UTV Movies has been consistently engaging with audiences in India and internationally. With the UTV Movies International channel launch in Canada, we are further expanding our footprint in the international markets and are extremely excited to work with Canada’s largest television broadcaster - Asian Television Network.”

“We are very pleased to be associated with UTV Movies International,” said ATN president and CEO Dr Shan Chandrasekar.  “Bollywood is one of the most loved genres in the country and the audiences here have a special connect with Hindi films. ATN has been responsible in bringing a range of specialty channels to the diverse audiences in Canada and UTV Movies International is a great addition to our network.” he added.

Over the past five years, UTV Movies International has addressed the viewer’s approach of looking to television for uninhibited entertainment, instantly gratifying them with a direct experience of the spirit of Bollywood.

The channel, currently present in 26 countries, has been engaging with audiences in key regions such as USA, Middle East and Africa along with countries such as Nepal, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. UTV Movies International also has a presence in the United Kingdom under the name of UMP Movies.