[Satellite Today – 2-28-08] Arqiva will help BET International launch its new European Sky channel, Arqiva announced Feb. 28.
    The five-year broadcast agreement will make BET accessible to more than 8.8 million digital satellite homes throughout Europe. The service originates from BET’s Washington, D.C. studios and connects to Arqiva’s facilities in the United Kingdom via trans-Atlantic fiber.
    Arqiva also announced a contract with Multi TV Afrique to improve the transmission quality of its digital multichannel TV package, Canalsat Horizons. Previously, African TV channels on the digital multichannel TV package were downlinked via various sites within the Paris area. Under the new deal, the bouquet will be broadcast using five dedicated antennas and C-band downlinks.
    The new TV package, which began broadcasting Feb. 4, also offers access to new TV channels from Africa.