Bermuda-based satellite service provider Intelsat Ltd. and ABS-CBN International (ABS-CBNi), the largest Filipino-owned entertainment and broadcasting company in North America, has announced they have signed a multi-year contract expansion.

ABS-CBNi will use capacity on Intelsat's Galaxy 19 satellite, located at 97 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, which hosts the largest ethnic video platform in North America distributing nearly 180 international channels, is located within Intelsat's premier Galaxy neighborhood.

"Globalising regional programming continues to be a growth catalyst for satellite service providers," said David Ball, Intelsat's vice-president for 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 maximise 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, a tradeshow for professionals involved in the creation, management and delivery of content for the broadcasting industry, which is being held at the Las Vegas Convention Center this week.