The UK Asian media industry has been abuzz with speculation over ZEE Network's new channel launches, even more so now that rival MAX Mix has expanded its bouquet.

It’s widely known that ZEE Network will be branching out with its first radio launch within the next two months. A number of new TV channels are also expected to be launched here (via Sky Digital) over the coming months.

Beside ZEE News and its youth orientated service ZEE Next looking at making a splash in the competitive UK market, there's now also talk of spiritual channel ZEE Jagran coming over.

Media regulator Ofcom has awarded ZEE Network a licence to broadcast ZEE Jagran in the UK. It launched in India in January 2004. ZEE Jaagran "is aimed at awakening people to realise the spiritual aspects in their life and hence enriching lives."

ZEE Jaagran will compete directly with the already established Aastha brand (where Swami Ram Dev Ji's yoga is exclusively shown on) and the recently introduced Sanskar TV via MATV.

An official from ZEE Network UK confirmed the developments to BizAsia.co.uk but declined to divulge further details.

The launch of ZEE Jagran comes after the surge in popularity in programmes like 'Yoga For You' and 'Jagran' on flagship channel ZEE TV.

Recently MAX Mix (of Sony Entertainment Television Asia) added news broadcaster Aaj Tak and Pakistani service ARY Digital to its bundle. The pack now consists of five channels (including MAX, Sahara One and Filmy), which is on par with the number of channels ZEE Network packages.

As always, keep it with BizAsia.co.uk for all the latest exclusive news scoops.

Updated: 00:15

Related links:
ZEE TV's sibling station to launch in India
EXCLUSIVE: ZEE Network to launch radio station
ZEE India to launch new entertainment channel
ZEE News to launch in UK within six months
Aaj Tak & ARY Digital join MAX Mix