[Satellite TODAY 10-26-10] European broadcaster France 24 signed a contract with Asia Satellite Telecommunications Co. (AsiaSat) to begin the distribution of its French channel and continue distributing its English channel throughout the Asia-Pacific region on AsiaSat 5 via the SatLink platform, France 24 announced Oct. 25.
    France 24 launched its English-language channel on AsiaSat 5 in 2009. The new agreement provides France 24 with additional C-band capacity and gives the broadcaster’s French channel access to about 3 million TV households in Asia. France 24 also said that it has concluded carriage agreements with Asian cable networks for DTH and IPTV platforms.
    “Following the successful launch of our English-language channel on AsiaSat 5 in 2009, we are delighted to work with AsiaSat, our valued satellite partner, to continue to roll out our French channel in Asia. By distributing both English and French television services on AsiaSat 5, we are in a strong position to further broaden our reach across the Asia-Pacific region,” France 24 Vice President of Worldwide Distribution Philippe Rouxel said in a statement.