[Satellite TODAY Insider 11-16-11] FSS operator SES activated full service on its recently launched QuetzSat-1 satellite and signed a capacity agreement with High TV 3D to distribute the channel from its Astra 23.5 degrees East orbital slot, the company announced Nov. 15.

   The all Ku-band high-powered QuetzSat-1, successfully launched in September on an ILS Proton Breeze M rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, is fully contracted to a subsidiary of EchoStar to provide broadcasting satellite coverage over Mexico, the United States and Central America. The spacecraft was built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) and based on the manufacturer’s 1300 satellite platform. SS/L installed 32 Ku-band transponders on QuetzSat-1 to support a broad range of applications and provide high-power DTH broadcasting for a period of 15 years or longer.

   “The state-of-the-art new satellite will support [EchoStar’s] service offer to their customers and continues our longstanding partnership. QuetzSat-1 is the first satellite fully leased to EchoStar, and joins three satellites fully leased by SES to EchoStar’s sister company Dish Network,” SES CEO Romain Bausch said in a statement.

   Separately, the company announced that its Astra 23.5 degrees East orbital slot will host High TV 3D’s programming package.

High TV 3D said it would broadcast 400 hours of native 3-D content during its first year of service with SES and plans to create more than 500 hours of 3-D content in the years following.

   “For us as an international 3-D channel, it is a major milestone to be present on Europe’s leading satellite platform, with an excellent reach and high-quality performance,” High TV 3D CEO Eric Klein said in a statement. “We are excited to bring the very best in lifestyle and entertainment programming to an audience that embraces entertainment as the very essence of their culture.”

   SES Chief Commercial Officer Ferdinand Kayser said his company expects the sales of 3-D enabled TV sets to significantly grow during the next few years. “The availability of compelling, high-quality 3-D content is of key importance to further drive the development of 3-D. High TV 3D is a very valuable addition to our growing 3-D line-up, and we look very much forward to a successful cooperation.”