[Satellite TODAY 01-10-12] Indian broadcast network Raj Television has entered into an agreement with Asia Satellite Telecommunications (AsiaSat) to lease C-band capacity on the AsiaSat 5 satellite, the operator announced Jan. 9.

   Raj Television will use the capacity to broadcast a bouquet of 11 satellite TV channels in the Asia-Pacific region.

   Raj Television officials said they chose AsiaSat 5 due to the quality of its service and penetration. “AsiaSat 5 offers unprecedented access to all major cable headends and DTH platforms in India and numerous pay-TV operators across the region, it is the right choice for us to expand our audience base in southern India and nationally as well as in international markets,” the network said.

   “Raj’s diverse offerings in news, music and entertainment content have further enhanced AsiaSat 5’s capability in delivering high-quality programming to audiences in India and to the South Asian community across the region,” AsiaSat President and CEO William Wade said in a statement.