[SatNews] Orion Express, a major satellite television provider in Russia, is now offering expanded DTH programming via capacity on the Intelsat 15 satellite (IS-15).

Under the multi-year, multi-transponder contract, Orion Express is distributing news, sports, entertainment and children’s programming for its new satellite platform, CONTINENT TV, which crossed the 100,000-subscriber threshold within three months of its service launch. CONTINENT TV offers viewers access to 50 television channels and 16 channels for cable network operators. IS-15, launched in November 2009, provides video and data services through its high power Ku-band payload. Located at 85 degrees East, the satellite offers Orion Express the ability to deliver television and media services across the Russian territory and supports the country’s ever-growing demand for DTH services. Additionally, Intelsat will be exhibiting in Hall 1, Stand C71 at IBC2010, the international tradeshow for the creation, management and delivery of content for the broadcasting industry, which will be held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, September 10-14.