Eutelsat’s headquarters in Paris. Photo: Eutelsat

Eutelsat stopped broadcasting certain Russian and Iranian channels to comply with French and European Union regulations, the operator announced Dec. 22. 

French media regulator ARCOM recently asked Eutelsat to stop broadcasting three Russian channels because their coverage of the war in Ukraine involved “repeated incitement to hatred and violence and numerous shortcomings in honesty of information.”

Eutelsat ended all involvement broadcasting Rossiya One, Pervyi Kanal, and NTV, following the ARCOM decision, the operator said. A fourth channel, RenTV, will be subject to sanctions if confirmed by the European Council Feb. 1, 2023. Eutelsat said it also ensured that it is not involved in broadcasting RT News in Russia.

In addition, Eutelsat ceased all Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB)-related broadcasting activity, after European Council regulation. 

The operator said it will take a hit for 10 million to 15 million euros in revenue in fiscal year 2022-23 for these actions, and it will affect EBITDA between 15 million to 20 million euros. Eutelsat adjusted guidance and now expects 1.135 billion euros to 1.165 billion euros in revenue for fiscal year 2022-23.