Indonesian DTH service provider Astro Indonesia has started carrying Al Jazeera English, the 24-hour English language news and current affairs channel from Doha-based Al Jazeera Network. The agreement forms part of the basic content package which makes the channel available alongside other international news channels. The carriage deal with Astro Indonesia extends from existing ties between Al Jazeera Network and Malaysia-based pay TV provider Astro which has been carrying Al Jazeera English in Malaysia since the channel’s launch in November 2006. Al Jazeera English is the first global news channel to be headquartered in the Middle East as the channel of reference for that region, and broadcasts to more than 100 million households worldwide. In operation since February 28 2006, Astro Indonesia is run by PT Direct Vision and provides 48 channels including 5 self-packaged channels.