The IS-805 satellite currently hosts a number of regional broadcasters; it offers simultaneous coverage for the whole of South America, Mexico, the Caribbean, the 48 contiguous U.S states and part of Western Europe in a single beam. Each of its C-band transponders enables television programmers to distribute to or from anywhere in the larger geographic coverage area thus providing access to TV markets serving a potential audience of over 900 million people, the release added.

"TIBA is extremely proud and pleased at having been chosen as Intelsat's primary video sales channel for long-term, cable distribution services in Latin America," said president and CEO of TIBA Norberto Alvarez Vitale.

He further added, "This partnership demonstrates the strong commitment of both companies to continue to build a relevant, useful and reliable video neighbourhood in this region. We believe that partnering to provide services in this manner will offer enhanced benefits to customers joining the satellite community and will make the Latin American video market more competitive."

This partnership strengthens the existing relationship between Intelsat and TIBA, who have collaborated since 2003 on a Latin American antenna seeding program, adds the release.