Hong Kong – Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) and PT. Digital Media announced on April 22 the launch of VIVA+, a brand new prepaid direct-to-home (DTH) satellite service utilising multiple Ku-band transponders on AsiaSat 5 at 100.5 degrees East to serve the fast-growing Indonesian pay DTH market.

The new DTH offering will initially consist of 2 HD and 35 SD channels including the “9 Ultimate World Cup Channels” dedicated to broadcast the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Brazil from June 12 to July 13. The package includes a wide range of Indonesian and international television channels, from entertainment, news, sports, to children and religious programmes.

VIVA+ intends to offer additional channels to enhance viewers’ viewing experience and to meet the diverse needs of potential subscribers for high quality content.

“We are very excited about our service launch on AsiaSat 5. AsiaSat has provided the high quality and country wide coverage we need to deliver our premium DTH offering to every corner of Indonesia. With AsiaSat’s support, we are able to move swiftly to introduce our unique World Cup package to all soccer fans in Indonesia. We are delighted to have this opportunity to work closely with AsiaSat in the coming years to expand our services and to offer more programme options to our customers,” said David Khim, Chief Technology Officer & Chief Operating Officer of VIVA+.

“We are pleased that VIVA+ has chosen AsiaSat to launch its new DTH service in Indonesia, bringing to viewers in Indonesia a brand new DTH offering of local and international programmes. Indonesia has one of Asia’s fastest growing pay-TV markets and we look forward to supporting VIVA+’s service expansion in the near future to capture the enormous potential of this lucrative DTH market,” said William Wade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat.