MUMBAI: Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat), Asia’s leading satellite operator has been selected by WarnerMedia as a strategic partner for distributing regional HD services of CNN International, Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Warner TV, as well as HBO HD in South Asia, via AsiaSat 7 in the Asia-Pacific.

AsiaSat has been distributing a total of five WarnerMedia SD channels on AsiaSat 7 (previously on AsiaSat 3S) since 1999. Since transmission, these channels have gained access to hundreds of rebroadcast networks and hotel networks across the region.

To allow a smooth migration to HD service for its rebroadcast affiliates including pay TV platforms and hotel  networks  across  Asia  Pacific,  and  for  audiences  to  enjoy  a  more  compelling  viewing experience, WarnerMedia will migrate its HD services and consolidate them into its existing SD platform on AsiaSat 7.

“The migration allows us to upgrade and streamline our services at the same time. Working together with AsiaSat, the new arrangement also allows us to offer our regional broadcast partners the chance for their viewers to enjoy our channels in HD,” said James Crossland, Senior Vice President of International Operations for Turner, a WarnerMedia company.

From September, AsiaSat 7 will carry a total of eight HD and three SD channels of content from news, entertainment, to children, movies and drama. With migration of service to HD completed in the next few months, viewers across the region will be able to enjoy high-quality TV benefiting from the high penetration of AsiaSat 7 at 105.5°E, the world’s most watched orbital slot.

“The media brands under WarnerMedia are some of the world’s most famous and most popular broadcast networks. We are very proud of our long-time partnership with WarnerMedia, which is one of the most valuable assets we have built over time. We look forward to continuing to support WarnerMedia in their service migration to HD on our high performance AsiaSat 7, and through our leading-edge broadcast solutions to serve audiences with ever better TV viewing experience,” said Ina Lui, Senior Vice President, Commercial, Business Development & Strategy of AsiaSat.