Pakistani Launches U.S. TV Channel

A new cable television channel that claims to be the first US Muslim lifestyle network in English debuts next week, bringing to fruition an idea born in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.

Bridges TV founder and chief executive Muzzammil Hassan, who moved to the United States from Pakistan in 1979, says his wife came up with the idea in December 2001 while listening to the radio on a road trip.

“Some derogatory comments were being made about Muslims that offended her,” Mr Hassan said.

“She was seven months’ pregnant and she thought she didn’t want her kids growing up in this environment.”

A former banker and marketing executive, Mr Hassan drew up a business plan and raised backing from US investors for the channel, which he says will launch with 50,000 cable and satellite TV subscribers.

He has signed a deal with Comcast, the largest US cable operator, to make it available nationwide…