Grupo Chilefilms owns the new satellite-based distribution network Cinecolor Sat, designed to deliver feature films and live events directly to Latin American cinemas. The Intelsat 1R network began testing in early October and aims to be fully operational by the end of 2012. Under the multi-year contract, Intelsat will transition its C-band capacity from Intelsat 1R to the Intelsat 27 satellite which is scheduled to launch in the first quarter of 2013.

"Delivering content via satellite improves the speed and reliability of distribution while reducing the cost," Grupo Chilefilms CEO Cristián Varela said in a statement. "The instantaneous nature of satellite distribution will allow cinemas to show live broadcasts, such as concerts and sporting events, which create new revenue streams for these cinemas.” 

Varela also added, “Because Latin America is a vast region with great distances between cinema complexes in many cases, physical distribution of films is a logistical challenge. Intelsat understood our requirements and worked with our engineers to create a solution that meets our needs today, and will allow Cinecolor Sat to grow in the future."