| International Media Distribution | |
| Type: | Subsidiary |
| Location City: | Centennial, Colorado |
| Location Country: | United States |
| Parent: | NBCUniversal Media Group |
International Media Distribution (IMD) (formerly International Networks), a division of NBCUniversal, is a leading provider of in-language networks which facilitates the distribution of Asian, European, Middle Eastern and Hispanic channels and Video On Demand services across all platforms including, cable, satellite and OTT.
Originally launched as International Channel Networks in 1996, the company was owned by Liberty Media (which was the majority owner with a 90% stake) and JJS II Communications, LLC (which owned the remaining 10% share).[1] They owned and operated The International Channel or I-Channel, which was a basic cable channel that launched in 1990[2] and featured multilingual, multi-ethnic programming to audiences in the United States. The channel offered programming from Europe, Asia & the Middle East in over 25 languages. In 1998, the company began offering a tier of premium networks featuring various channels from around the world. This tier has since grown and currently consists of over 50 networks. In July 2004, as part of a larger deal, International Channel Networks was sold to Comcast. In 2005, Comcast re-branded the International Channel as AZN Television, a channel catering to Asian Americans and featuring several original programmes. The company was subsequently renamed International Networks.
On April 9, 2008, AZN television ceased operations as Comcast decided to shut down the channel due to distribution and advertising difficulties.[3]
On March 10, 2009, Comcast decided to rename the company as International Media Distribution. The re-brand was undertaken to reflect the growth of the company and to emphasize the focus which is now on the distribution of premium international channels from around the world.[4] In 2011, Comcast completed its purchase of NBCUniversal,[5] thereafter IMD was reorganized under the international television distribution arm of NBCUniversal rather than the Comcast Entertainment Group.
International Media Distribution’s portfolio includes over 50 networks from across the world including:Â
Arabic
Chinese
Filipino
French
German
Greek
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Polish
Russian
South Asian
Spanish
Vietnamese