8 August 2011

AsiaSat announced that media group TRACE has signed a new lease agreement for additional C-band capacity on AsiaSat 5 to launch its new TRACE Sports HD channel in the Asia-Pacific region.

From 1 August, TRACE Sports HD debuts on Hong Kong Broadband Network’s bbtv, with more exciting carriage agreements in Asia to be announced in the coming months.

TRACE Sports HD offers the best stories about sports celebrities. With unprecedented access to the world’s sporting elite, it is a channel of entertainment, personal stories and lifestyle content dedicated to sports fans. The channel is broadcast in English with subtitles in Mandarin and Korean, and made available to cable, DTH, broadband and mobile platforms across Asia and Australasia.

"At TRACE Sports HD, we love champions, and therefore we are thrilled to further expand our partnership with AsiaSat, our champion satellite partner in Asia, to introduce our new HD service to the region’s passionate community of sports fans," said Olivier Laouchez, Chairman and CEO of TRACE.

James Ross, CEO of Lightning International which represents TRACE in Asia, added, "Joining AsiaSat 5, one of Asia’s premier distribution platforms for HD services, allows us to further grow our viewership through their unprecedented coverage and excellent access to Asian pay TV platforms."

"We are pleased that TRACE has chosen AsiaSat again to expand their brand and content in Asia. TRACE Sports HD’s unique and compelling programming coupled with superb image and sound quality, will definitely give Asian viewers more choice and an enhanced viewing experience," said William Wade, President and CEO of AsiaSat.