• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, April 8, 2008

Due partly to an inability to attract sufficient ad revenue, Comcast is shuttering its Asian-American targeted AZN Television network on Wednesday. A notice posted on the network's Web site said "the decision was made after considerable review of the channel's financial situation."

Somewhat surprisingly, since Comcast is the country's largest cable operator, the notice also said the channel was "unable to gain the distribution" required to "maintain a viable business." The network was in 14 million homes, according to a CAB document.

Nielsen estimates there are 4.5 million Asian-American TV homes, and projects significant growth going forward.

The Hollywood Reporter reported the network would be off the air this week on April 6.

The failure of the network, which was re-launched in 2005, highlights the difficulties niche channels have in finding audiences and ad dollars in the fragmented media landscape. Comcast has sought to bolster its portfolio of networks and content offerings, so its decision is significant, especially in light of the growth of the Asian-American population.

Comcast had positioned the network as targeting "the fast-growing, affluent and English-speaking Asian-American community."