Although Siddharta Srivastava's experience with cable networks dates from 1982,[2] ATN was founded in November 1991 using the Russian Gorizont Statsionar-41 satellite to broadcast its signals.
The launch and development of the channel were hampered by problems from cable operators, who had to install a second satellite dish to receive its programming, which aired only a few hours at night.
The launch of Zee TV saw its potential to be wasted, but it had quickly gained a foothold of eight million viewers, over two channels on the Russian satellite, by January 1994.
[4] The migration from Gorizont to PAS-4 was rooted in non-payment dues to the Russian company, estimated to have been nearly US$1 million as of April 1996.
[8][9] Original programming during the second half of the 1990s included Superhit Hungama, Maine Dekha, Gune Dekha, Movie Magic, Starana, Tarana, Chill-Out Zone, Right On, Andaz Apna Apna, Once More, Sitaron Ke Sang, Mere Geet, Geet Mala, Gunjan, and a half-hour Hindi news bulletin.