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| Mike Burstyn, gets his own show Photo: Zvika Tishler
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| | | |  | Ben Aaron, one of JLTV's presenters |
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US Jewish TV channel expanding
24/7 Jewish Life Television now available via DirecTV satellite provider can be viewed in 25 million households across America. Next month, channel to expand to Europe, Middle East to share Jewish, Israeli culture with the world
Nir Natan
LOS ANGELES - After over two years of low-key activity and without any PR, Los Angeles-based Jewish channel, 'Jewish Life Television' kicked into high gear last week, and expanded to 25 million households around the US through the DirecTV satellite provider.
Next month, the station will undergo a further expansion, and will ultimately reach 80 million households in Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East through the Hotbird satellite provider.
The channel broadcasts 24 hours, seven days a week, and includes Jewish and Israeli content such as news, talk shows, comedies, music, documentaries and live footage of events in the Jewish world.
JLTV is based in Encino, a suburb of Los Angeles, California, and was founded by 64-year-old Phil Blazer, who could not contain his excitement and said, "I am so excited I'm crying… I also pat myself on the back, I am proud of this. We finally have a Jewish channel."
Phil Blazer, president and CEO of Jewish Life TV
Blazer believes that within a number of years, the channel will be transmitted in the homes of all seven million American Jews, and a total of some 200 million satellite and cable subscribers around the world, including in Iran and Syria, although he is convinced local authorities will block the transmission.
Blazer is currently in talks with the Israel Broadcasting Authority to have JLTV relayed through Israel's Channel 33, to show the Israelis how they are represented abroad.
The biggest upcoming event to be broadcast on the JLTV is the 18th Maccabiah Games (Jewish Olympics) in mid-July. "This is the first time that the Maccabiah will be broadcast live outside of Israel," Blazer said.
Maccabiah, to be broadcast live (Photo: Courtesy of Maccabiah Union)
Israeli basketball league events are also slated to be relayed by the channel in the future, with commentary in English.
Also on the agenda is a show hosted by actor Mike Burstyn, plans to set up a school for Jewish broadcasters, and movie and television productions with pronounced Jewish content. Blazer said he welcomes Israeli producers to submit their films to the channel.
JLTV was founded with the funds of wealthy Jews in the United States, Blazer's friends, and high-ranking Jews in Hollywood, that helped with content and professional consultation.
Branko Lustig, the producer of 'Schindler's List' and 'Gladiator', and Steven Spielberg are among those influential Jews who helped get the channel off the ground.
"Founding the channel cost less than it should have," Blazer said, "Those that helped me, did it as a favor because they care."
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