Washington: Dish Network, a leader in international programming, Thursday introduced TV9 Telugu, a 24-hour news channel focused on enlightening and entertaining the Telugu speaking community, in the U.S..

Dish Network is proud to offer more Telugu programming than any other pay-TV provider," said Chris Kuelling, vice president of International Programming for DISH Network, the only satellite TV provider to carry the channel in the U.S..

The addition of TV9 Telugu exemplifies our continuing commitment to offering the most diverse programming options at the best value to our customers, he said in an announcement from Englewood, Colorado.

"The channel will provide an instant connection with the Telugu community residing in the U.S. on Dish Network," said Ravi Prakash, founder and CEO of Hyderabad based Associated Broadcasting Corporation, Ltd., TV9 Telugu's holding company.

Since its launch, TV9 Telugu has maintained its channel leadership in Andhra Pradesh, and has since expanded its presence to various regions of India, currently totalling nine channels.

TV9 Telugu is the most viewed news channel in Telugu, featuring live news, current affairs and various entertainment shows, said Ramesh Annamreddy, managing partner and CEO of Sneha Media & Entertainment, widely regarded as among the pioneers of the Telugu Television in the US

TV9 Telugu is not merely a news channel, but a sustained and determined effort to exemplify the human values and ethics of the Telugu-speaking people across the world, hoping to attain a better society.

Available on Dish Network Ch. 702, TV9 Telugu offers extensive coverage of all aspects of day-to-day Telugu life, from political news and current affairs to fashion trends and live events.

The channel is available to Dish Network customers a la carte for $9.99 per month, as an add-on to any South Asian channel or package for $4.99 per month, or as part of the four-channel Telugu Pack for $29.99 per month.

The leader in international programming, Dish Network currently offers more than 170 international channels in more than 28 languages, the most of any other pay-TV provider.