Satellite TV

News and other updates on Satellite Television.

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Digitürk, Eutelsat collaborate to offer 4K demonstration channel in Turkey

Eutelsat Communications recently entered an agreement with Digitürk, Turkey’s leading pay-TV operator, to bring the 4K Ultra-HDTV demo channel into the country. The first demo transmission took place earlier this month via Eutelsat’s 7A satellite, which is also home to Digitürk's pay-TV platform. Digitürk's Product Development and Broadcasting Systems operations manager Emre Uysal noted that the company has the necessary infrastructure and service capabilities needed for 4K. Uysal said, “We have 4K capability as of now and aim to be ready for commercial broadcasts once standards of this ecosystem are finalised and consumer equipment is available in the market. This demonstration channel gives us a powerful platform to show the vivid experience afforded by Ultra HD and will enable us to build the broadcasting chain from content production to home viewing.” Speaking about the partnership, Eutelsat’s Turkey, Middle East and Africa Manager Ali Korur said: “Eutelsat is proud to be Digiturk’s chosen digital satellite partner for almost 15 years and to embark on this new venture in 4K broadcasting. Supporting the broadcast industry along its continuing path of innovation is a core part of our DNA. It was in this spirit that we launched demonstration HD and 3D channels as these formats and ecosystems took shape, and the same spirit is driving this new initiative.” Recommended additional readings:

Beam Communications satcom solution secures safety for Australian charity 

Eutelsat 3D satellite preparing for launch on May

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Martial Arts Networks signs contract with MEASAT for HD lineup

MEASAT Satellite Systems, a Malaysian communications satellite operator, recently signed a deal with Martial Arts Network to distribute the Martial Arts TV HD channel through MEASAT-3a satellite. Martial Arts TV HD provides combat sports programs, like kickboxing and mixed martial arts, as well as martial arts shows including anime, movies, reality, video game and lifestyle programming. The channel is committed to exhibiting the beauty and strength of martial arts from all over the world. The addition of Martial Arts TV HD brings the number of HD channels distributed by MEASAT-3/3a video platform to a total of 39, and is said to be the ninth HD sports channel offered by the company. Recommended additional reading:

Globecomm, TodoCast collaborate to provide online streaming video content by satellite

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Eurochannel taps Eutelsat 16A satellite to expand reach in sub-Saharan Africa

Eurochannel, an international TV channel dedicated to European films and series, has started its international expansion by choosing EUTELSAT 16A satellite to broadcast the company’s signal across sub-Saharan Africa. This move comes three months after Eurochannel signed a new five-year agreement for capacity and satellite TV services with Eutelsat Communications. Leveraging the power of Eutelsat’s Ku-band footprint sweeping all over Africa -- from Senegal in the West to Madagascar in the East -- Eurochannel joins a digital platform uplinked by the company which includes more than 20 TV channels. Eurochannel broadcasts programs that are subtitled in English, French and Portuguese, with terrestrial headends as its main target. Recommended additional reading:

GMPCS presents new mobile Ka-band satcom kits for satellite broadcasters

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Ericsson introduces Broadcast Services unit at NAB 2013

Ericsson, one of the world’s largest provider of equipment for mobile telecommunications network, is expanding its business once more as it introduced its Broadcast Services division during the NAB Show 2013 held at Las Vegas, Nevada. The new business unit of the company merges its global services with the deep broadcast industry track record of Technicolor’s Broadcast Services -- a division which Ericsson acquired in July last year. Due to the rapidly changing conditions of the TV market, Ericsson Broadcast Services head Thorsten Sauer said that the Business Services division will focus on aiding content owners and broadcasters address various challenges. "Most broadcasters do not have the time, the scale or the infrastructure to adapt effectively to today’s technical challenges such as media asset management, multi-platform multi-screen delivery, archiving and disaster recovery,” Sauer said in a company statement. Sauer added, “At NAB Show 2013 we will demonstrate how outsourcing technical and operation management is the natural answer to broadcasters’ challenges, enabling them to focus on engaging their viewers and delivering the TV experiences that consumers want.” Presently, Ericsson manages the playout services of satellite TV network HBO in the Nordic countries, as well as more than 1.5 million hours of broadcast TV every year for more than 200 channels. Recommended additional reading:

Philippine Airlines taps OnAir for inflight GSM, Wi-Fi service

Hughes expands managed network services with African Development Bank

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My-HD Media collaborates with Arabsat to expand channel reach

Middle Eastern HD TV platform My-HD Media made an announcement during the CABSAT 2013 conference that the company signed a long-term strategic partnership with Arabsat, a leading satellite service provider in the Middle East. Under the terms of the contract, Arabsat will help My-HD Media expand the reach of its bouquet of channels to more than 170 million viewers in more than 80 countries across the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region and beyond. “I am pleased to announce our exclusive partnership with Arabsat... It has always been a frontrunner in the region and a prime hotspot for HD in MENA, and our partnership is intended to give us a valuable platform to provide superior HD content to over 170 million viewers across the (MENA) region,” My-HD Media CEO Cliff Nelson said in a statement. “We aim to build a diversified bouquet of 40 HD family entertainment channels and we are confident that our association with Arabsat will be a long term profitable collaboration that will add significant value to both parties but most importantly to the end consumer." Echoing the statement of Nelson, Arabsat CEO Khalid Balkheyour noted: “The main objective from our successful alliance with My-HD Media will provide a commercially viable, mass market ready, end-to-end distribution platform to the broadcasters on Arabsat. My-HD Media will allow broadcasters to capture additional HD business across MENA. At the same time we are further expanding Arabsat’s HD reach and HD leadership in the market.” Recommended additional reading:

Ghana University sends its first satellite into space

ViaSat delays order, launch of ViaSat 2 satellite broadband platform to 2016

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JSC Global taps Eutelsat for new satellite TV platform

Eutelsat Communications has been contracted by Georgian media company JSC Global Contact Consulting for capacity lease on the Eutelsat 36B satellite. By signing the multi-year agreement, JSC will be using the widebeam footprint to launch the company’s new satellite TV platform called Global TV. This month, the Georgian company will begin its satellite broadcasting, together with four free-to-air channels and then expanding gradually to include both Georgian and international channels. To speed up the access to the new platform, JSC Global Contact Consulting will install thousands of dishes all over Georgia over the next two years that will be pointed to Eutelsat 36B satellite which is located at 36 degrees East. In a company statement, JSC Global Director General Zurab Bazlidze noted: “The EUTELSAT 36B satellite quickly emerged as the platform of choice for our new venture. It combines the power we need for DTH broadcasting with exceptional coverage of our chosen regions. We can launch our new platform confident that the service and support provided by Eutelsat will accelerate the success of this new broadcasting initiative in Georgia." You may also want to read:

Harris, NOAA launch PATRON weather satellite tool

GDLNG picks PolarSat VSATPlus 3 for VSAT network

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DAAR taps Spacecom to launch Nigerian DTH platform on Amos-5 satellite

Spacecom has been chosen by DAAR Communications to launch the company’s Direct-to-Home satellite TV service, DAARSAT, on the Amos-5 satellite at 17 degrees East. DAARSAT, known as the eighth DTH service platform of the company in Nigeria, will join the Infinity and HiBand services. It is also available now as a stand-alone digital TV service across Nigeria. With features like messaging, fingerprinting, chipset pairing and subscriptions, this next-gen platform provides five consumer bouquets and also includes 30 different channels. In a company statement, Spacecom CEO and President David Pollack read: “We are proud to add another DTH platform to the Amos-5 at 17 degrees East neighborhood through our relationship with the leading communication group, DAAR Communications. Delivery of high quality service on a powerful platform is what elevates Amos and helps our business grow.” You may also want to read:

C-COM debuts new Ka-band Flyaway Antenna

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Orange Romania mulling over launching satellite TV market

Jean Francois Fallacher, the chief executive officer of Orange Romania, announced to the media that the company is thinking about entering the local Romanian satellite TV market. Fallacher noted that the operator noticed an increase in its customers’ consumption of video entertainment on their smartphones and tablets, and as a way of meeting this demand, they have considered the option of venturing into the satellite TV market. “We may decide to launch our own satellite TV platform and we are already negotiating with companies in Romania about the contractual conditions for installing equipment at customer premises,” Fallacher said in the report. The Orange Romania CEO also added that the company has not decided yet on whether or not to offer its own satellite TV services as part of the platform. You may also want to read:

CPI gets $6M for Ka-band satcom amplifiers order

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YouTube introduces new TV app through Freesat

Youtube, a Google-owned video sharing site, is continuing its expansion by signing an agreement with British free-to-air satellite service, Freesat. Come March, YouTube’s content will be available on Freesat together with more traditional TV sources via an app. Google will be introducing the YouTube app through Freesat’s new £279 premium internet-connected TV box called Freetime, allowing viewers to have access to YouTube’s content using only their smartphone. The video-streaming site’s debut on Freesat will take it to a wider audience. The latest deal marks YouTube’s most aggressive business expansion towards the small screen -- a move that is also projected towards attracting respected producers to create original, quality content on the platform. At present, Freesat offers 60 online channels which features programming from BBC Worldwide and other broadcasters. In a statement,YouTube product marketing manager Peter Sherman said: “We’re happy to be working with Freesat so that Freesat users can now access YouTube from the platform. Our creator community is developing quality content that will delight and inspire viewers and we’re pleased to be able to bring it to people in new ways.” You may also want to read:

Arabsat acquires Hellas-Sat for expansion into Europe

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Small boat owners enjoy satellite TV from KVH’s TracVision M1

Great news for boaters! They can now enjoy the luxury of satellite TV as KVH Industries brings its 12.5 inch TracVision M1 marine satellite TV onboard, slashing the price of the satellite TV antenna by 20 percent. Before, satellite TV is an amenity that can only be enjoyed on cruise ships and super yachts. Thanks to KVH, boat owners can now add this to their investment and have access to news, sports, weather, and even their favorite television shows -- just like in the comforts of their own home. Jim George, KVH’s director of sales for satellite products, said: “Having satellite TV onboard means you can spend the weekend on the water without missing the big game or a new episode of your favorite show. The kids can stay entertained with cartoons while adults enjoy easy access to weather reports and news, so everyone is happy. The TracVision M1's compact design and outstanding reliability make it a valuable addition to any boat. Plus, KVH maintains a nationwide network of factory-certified dealers so installation and service are easy to find at marinas all over the country. With these benefits and the new, lower price, we're making it easy to add value to the investment of boat ownership with an amenity that is simple to install and offers years of enjoyment." Considered as the world’s smallest and lightest satellite TV system for boats, KVH’s TracVision M1 has a weight of just 7.5 lbs and is the first to offer satellite TV programming to the water across the U.S and its coastal waters. The system provides open water tracking and in-motion performance typical of bigger antennas, all while fitting the sleek exterior design of vessels as small as 20 feet. Because of the small size, easy setup, Whisper Drive motor technology and versatile mounting of TracVision M1, it makes it easy and convenient to install on any marine vessel. To accommodate boater’s preference when it comes to satellite service providers, KVH’s TracVision M1 is designed into two configurations. For boaters who prefer DIRECTV, TracVision M1 has an exclusive, integrated 12V DIRECTV receiver/controller -- all you have to do is add a TV and your DIRECTV service subscription to bring DIRECTV’s standard-definition programming onboard. Meanwhile, for those who prefer DISH Network, or want to be able to switch easily among satellite TV service providers, the TracVision M1DX allows for superior flexibility with a 12V multi-service interface box/controller that supports virtually all home receivers from DISH Network and DIRECTV. You may also want to read:

Satellite TV distributors, manufacturers request license fee reduction

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Satellite TV distributors, manufacturers request license fee reduction

Prominent local satellite-TV-system distributors and manufacturers are currently seeking an abatement of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunication Commission’s (NBTC) license fee, asserting that they are also an essential part of supporting and delivering quality content to viewers. Infosat Managing Director and Satellite Dish Club President Niran Tangpiroontham said that the reduction must be allowed for network providers like equipment distributors and manufacturers, for reasons being their business is a key part of the supply chain of the broadcasting industry. Echoing the voice of other companies in the industry, PSI Holding Managing Director Napasak Kotwiboon said: “I personally suggest that a network provider with its own TV channel should get a 15-per-cent discount on the normal annual license fee if it is committed to delivering informative and education-oriented programs in more than 50 per cent of its time slots.” The draft regulation on NBTC license fee reduction and exemption will grant the public-service digital terrestrial TV broadcasters to decrease their fee in half if they are able to use more than 50 per cent of their airtime for information, news and edutainment programs. This will also help defer the community-based services fee.

Recommended additional reading:

SES introduces Internet Satellite JET Ka-band broadband solution in France

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Vision Asia picks Telstra for DTH Services

Vision Asia has chosen Telstra for direct-to-home broadcast solutions in New Zealand and Australia. The $US 25.1 million agreement will also see the Australian telecommunications company providing managed satellite services to Vision Asia. The agreement will last for 10 years. Vision Asia has been relying on Telstra’s IS-19 communications satellite for the delivery of its services. The company’s CEO, Gurudutt Satigrama, expressed his excitement with the agreement saying Telstra’s excellent track record will translate to high quality content delivery across NZ and Australia.

Recommended read:

Internet on satellite

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Antenna Technology Communications Inc. or ATCi announced at the SATCON 2012 held in New York that they will start providing multiple cable TV and satellite channels with uplink disaster recovery services. The announcement comes on the heels of the powerful super storm, Hurricane Sandy, hitting the Northeastern seaboard of the US, and crippling major cities including New York City. The SATCON event itself was almost cancelled as disaster recovery efforts were still ongoing in the Big Apple.

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Eutelsat Drops Iranian TV channels

One of the top satellite communications providers in the world has terminated a contract with an Iranian broadcast company. Eutelsat said on Monday it will cut-off its service to the state-run IRIB after the latter jammed satellites to censor protests over the country’s weakening currency.

The decision comes on the heels of a new sanctions on Iran by the European Union which were approved last Monday, and targeted the country’s financial sector in efforts to get the government not to pursue with its nuclear program any longer.

Other sanctions were approved earlier this year which to Eutelsat stopping the broadcast of Iranian channels previously accessed through the company’s Hotbird satellite.

Together with the EU, the US is also looking to impose additional fines on Iran after loopholes in a previous sanction designed to impede Tehran’s oil export. IRIB has been renting space on the Hotbird satellite through UK-based Arqiva Ltd. Both Arqiva and Eutelsat have already suspended contracts with Iran.

Opposition groups in the Arab nation praised the decision by the satellite company, explaining the broadcast channel has been used by the government as a propaganda tool. Human rights activists also approved of the move by Eutelsat saying the Iranian government has been openly using the state media to disseminate propaganda messages, and to make Iran appear in a favorable light amidst being under international criticism.

Recommended reads:

YahClick Go to be made available in Africa

Internet from satellite

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Ku-band capacity for ME on AM22

Hi, we are expecting 0.465 MHz since 01 October 2012 on AM22, Wide European Beam, tr B5 (standard Ku-band).

Note: capacity is subject to availability.

For details pls contact: [email protected]

Other recommend reads:

Rural communities in Australia rely on internet on satellite