Arianespace has used Euroconsult’s Paris conference to announce it had won a 4-launch contract from DirecTV to place new DTH satellites into orbit. Two of the orders are firm, while the other two are currently in the shape of options. All four satellites will weigh in at over 6 metric tonnes and will be a […]
Italian news and information channel Class TV MSNBC is relaunching with a new schedule based on hit movies and TV series from the USA, together with a selection of locally produced series. Thanks to an agreement with NBC Universal, ClassTV MSNBC will offer an attractive prime time line-up, including movies from major American directors. The […]
DirecTV is to supply a hybrid receiver and satellite set-top box for its Argentinean viewers. The idea is to supply a DTT tuner in order to receive terrestrial signals alongside DirecTV’s portfolio of satellite transmissions. Argentine Página 12 newspaper states that DirecTV is already testing the device that will also be installed together with […]
Russia’s giant Express-AM4 satellite, placed into a near-useless orbit on August 18th, has been found, and ground-controllers are in contact with the craft. They report that the satellite has partially deployed its solar arrays and is in a safe stand-by mode awaiting further instructions. Astrium, which built Express-AM4, say that the craft is so far […]
Ka-band – the part of the spectrum that covers the frequencies of 26.5 GHz to 40 GHz – is creating enormous opportunities for satellite operators, as well as being a crucial factor in bringing advanced triple-play content to rural areas across the world, according to Paul Scardino, VP of Corporate Sales and Marketing at Globecomm. […]
Quality assurance of DVB satellite transmissions is to be advanced by Eutelsat Communications, one of the world’s leading satellite operators, in time for the 2012 Olympics. The breakthrough, which was announced at IBC 2011, is part of a global industry-supported initiative that aims to safeguard satellite signal services. Eutelsat’s continued commitment to quality assurance reflects […]
SES has confirmed that Canal+ Overseas, the international subsidiary of French Pay-TV operator Canal+, has contracted multiple transponders and signed a long-term agreement for its subsidiary Canal+ Afrique in order to distribute the Canal+/Canalsat pay-TV bouquet of channels in Africa over the SES-4 satellite at the orbital location of 338 degrees East. Canal+/Canalsat is the […]
Intelsat has ordered two satellites, worth about $500 million when launch costs are included, to serve DirecTV’s growing demand for DTH channels over Latin America. Space Systems/Loral will build the satellites. The order was announced at IBC in Amsterdam. Dubbed DLA-1 and DLA-2, “the new satellites will help us support our customer’s expansion in the […]
Satellite operator SES used IBC to unveil its new logo, and told press and conference delegates that it was now carrying 5,905 channels and radio networks and that more than 2400 were being transmitted over Europe. SES is claiming the world’s top spot for HDTV channels, with 1,071 now on air around the globe. (although […]
BBC Persian, the BBC’s Farsi-language TV channel, continues to suffer jamming by Iran. The BBC’s broadcasts have suffered interference since the middle of this year, and intermittently during last year, on Eutelsat’s ‘Hot Bird’ satellite. Now the jamming has spread to Eutelsat’s W3A craft which also beams signals over parts of the Middle East. BBC […]