Hong Kong – Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) has reached an agreement with BT to deliver BBC World Service Asia feed of 33 radio channels in 21 languages.

These services are being distributed in C-band on AsiaSat 5 from the orbital location of 100.5°E to BBC’s short and medium-wave transmitter sites, as well as to FM partners and re-broadcasters in Asia and Australasia. The services which are tailored to the region constitute an essential part of BBC’s global distribution service. With AsiaSat 5, the BBC services are reaching an ever-growing audience in Asia.

William Wade, President and Chief Executive Officer of AsiaSat said, “We thank BT and BBC for choosing AsiaSat as their long-term satellite partner for the distribution of services in Asia. BBC’s commencement of service has significantly expanded our portfolio of information and entertainment services on AsiaSat 5. This partnership between AsiaSat and BBC offers a diverse range of high quality content from one of the world’s leading public service broadcasters to a broad Asian audience.”

Mark Wilson-Dunn, Vice President BT Media & Broadcast said, “Our successful partnership with AsiaSat enhances our distribution services to BBC in terms of service performance and audience reach in Asia. We look forward to growing our business with AsiaSat.”

Nigel Fry, Head of Distribution for BBC World Service Group, said, “We are pleased to have BT and AsiaSat’s support in enhancing the distribution network for our radio and television services in Asia. AsiaSat offers the penetration and neighbourhood, which is second to none. With the powerful AsiaSat 5, we are able to reach the diverse Asian audience more effectively.”