• by Wayne Friedman , December 14, 2009

New, independently owned cable TV channels are finding it tough to gain traction these days. But Oasis TV, a network focused on health and holistic content, has made some improvements.

The advertising-supported, 24-hour network has now added 6 million homes from two deals with Cox (3.3 million) and Charter (2.7 million).

Cox will now carry Oasis TV in 20 television markets, including Phoenix, San Diego, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Cleveland and Orange County, CA. Charter's deal adds 34 markets, including St. Louis; Madison, WI; Fort Worth, Texas; and Long Beach, CA.

OTV Media Group President/CEO Robert Schnitzer, says the channel is now in 11 of the top 20 major television markets.

Previously, Oasis had been on Time Warner Cable in Los Angeles with around 1.3 million households. The channel started up in 2005, with 350,000 homes.

In one of the rare moves by a content provider, Oasis started as a Internet company, streaming video on MSN in 1999 -- targeting the health, fitness and lifestyle market, then moving on to become a television cable network.

Oasis programming categories include personal growth, spirituality, metaphysics, natural health, current affairs, earth and science and love and relationships.

Company officials say it will start up other linear cable, online and mobile channels by early 2010.