Liberty firm behind Korean-American cabler

International Channel Networks, 90% controlled by John Malone’s Liberty Media, has come onboard an upcoming 24-hour cable channel dedicated to the Korean-American communities across the US.

Following a deal between ICN and Television Korea 24 (tvK24), the Liberty-backed company will become a shareholder and will also distribute the basic tier channel to cable and satellite television companies in North America. ICN will sell national airtime on the LA-based station, while tvK24 will handle local and Korean sales.

Programming will consist of news, drama, movies, sports, business, health, music, children’s, gameshows, entertainment and educational programming – all in Korean, with certain fare subtitled in English. Some first-run product is promised.

“As International Channel Networks looks to expand investment in the channels we distribute, tvK24 offers that strategic opportunity,” said Scott Wheeler, svp of network development at International Channel Networks.

“We have locked up some of the most compelling content across all genres from Korea,” added Billy Kelly, cofounder and coo of tvK24. “Our programming strength coupled with our reach from offering a free channel finally offers advertisers a viable vehicle to reach the highly educated and affluent Korean-American cable viewer.”

TvK24 is also working with ICN to roll out a Korean-language VoD service.