MUMBAI: Asian satellite operator Asiasat and Fashion TV (FTV) have announced the signing of an agreement for C-band capacity on Asiasat 2 to launch FTV HD, the new high definition channel by FTV, in the Asia Pacific region.

Broadcast of FTV HD has commenced on Asiasat 2. The channel is distributed to all major cable and satellite networks, and pay TV platforms across the region, providing Asian viewers access to exceptional picture and sound quality of new programming on fashion, beauty, lifestyle and luxury.

FTV has also chosen once again RRsat Global Communication Network a provider of content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industries, to provide the advanced playout and uplink services for the FTV HD channel to Asiasat 2.

Fashion TV president and founder Michel Adam says, “Following the successful launch of our HD service in Europe, we are delighted to work with AsiaSat, our long-term partner, to continue to roll out FTV HD in Asia. We have been using AsiaSat satellite for our Asian services since 1998, and Asiasat has proved itself to be a highly valued satellite partner over the years. We are pleased to further extend our relationship through distributing both our high definition and standard definition channels on AsiaSat satellites.

“Taking the opportunity that many pay TV platforms in Asia are rapidly expanding their HD offerings as their differentiating feature, we have successfully concluded carriage arrangements with several major Asian platform operators prior to our official launch of service.”

Asiasat CEO Pweter Jackson says, “We are very pleased to welcome FTV HD on board AsiaSat 2. FTV’s extension of services on AsiaSat satellites has again demonstrated broadcaster confidence in AsiaSat to be the ideal satellite platform for distribution service in Asia Pacific.

" This new HD channel is an exciting addition to AsiaSat’s HD service offering. We shall continue our efforts to grow our HD neighbourhood on AsiaSat to meet the fast growing demand from Asian TV platform operators for HD services in the region”.