[12-05-07 – Satellite Today] AB Groupe will launch a pay-TV platform in France via Eutelsat’s Hot Bird neighborhood at 13° East and from Atlantic Bird 3 at 5° West, Eutelsat announced Dec. 5.
    BIS will launch a basic package of channels dubbed Panorama Dec. 10 to tap into the market for pay-TV in France. Subscriptions will start at 4.90 euros ($7.20) a month.
    "Over 42 percent of homes in France are already equipped to receive digital channels, demonstrating substantial viewer appetite for the quality and choice digital can supply,” Olivier Millies-Lacroix, Eutelsat’s commercial director, said in a statement. “We welcome the launch of BIS, which offers homes in France a compelling range of leading national and thematic channels. The availability of BIS from our two flagship satellite positions serving France is an important step towards building a fully digital broadcasting environment for all homes."