The English-language international channel of China Central Television (CCTV), CCTV-9, began broadcasting Monday on Britain's BSkyB and France's TPS, sources with CCTV said.

China International Television Corporation signed respective agreements with News Corporation and Asia Pacific Telecom Euro Sport News Distribution Corporation to provide subscribers of the two broadcasting satellite systems with access to CCTV English programs.

BSkyB is the largest and only service provider for direct broadcasting satellite television, with more than 200 channels and programs for over 6 million subscribers in Britain.

TPS is one of the two largest service providers for direct broadcasting satellite television in France, with 1.2 million subscribers.

Now British and French viewers can have better access to Chinese TV programs and have a better understanding of China through CCTV-9.

(Xinhua News Agency March 4, 2003)