Intelsat, Ltd. provider of fixed satellite services, and ABS-CBN International (ABS-CBNi), the largest Filipino-owned entertainment and broadcasting company in North America, announced today that ABS-CBNi signed a multi-year contract expansion with Intelsat. ABS-CBNi will use capacity on Intelsat's Galaxy 19 satellite, located at 97degrees W, to offer its clients increased regional programming in North America via its fully-owned and operated San Francisco International Gateway teleport.

Intelsat's Galaxy 19 satellite hosts the largest ethnic video platform in North America distributing nearly 180 international channels, and is located within Intelsat's premier Galaxy neighborhood.

“The growing demand for our international programming within the U.S. viewership requires that we have a solid satellite transmissions partner able to meet our expansion needs. This contract will enable our San Francisco International Gateway to deliver more news, entertainment and specialty content to target audiences in North America,” said Sherry Ann Supelana, ABS-CBNi Head of Global Engineering and Technical Services. “For more than a decade, Intelsat has played a significant role in transmitting our clients’ programming not just in North America, but throughout the world.”

“Globalizing regional programming continues to be a growth catalyst for satellite service providers,” said David Ball, Intelsat’s Vice President, Asia-Pacific. “We continue to see a surge for international programming into North America, and the reach of our Galaxy 19 satellite offers our customers the ability to maximize the value of their content, seamlessly transmitting it throughout the region.”

Intelsat will be celebrating its “20 years of HD” with an exhibition at NAB 2009 in Hall C, Booth #4937 and in the Outdoor Pavilion, Booth #E404 in Las Vegas.