Satellite News has learned that China plans to launch a television broadcasting satellite in the first half of 2006. According to reports, the satellite will provide broadcasting services to that part of China’s population that currently does not receive service from cable, which translates to about 260 million families. To do so, however, will require changes in the country’s laws, which currently do not allow individuals to receive broadcast television signals through their own satellite receivers. Alcatel will build the satellite, dubbed Chinasat 9, for China Satellite Communications Corp.