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Eutelsat has signed a new 4k broadcasting deal with one of France’s biggest broadcasters. Public broadcaster France Télévisions has signed a multi-year contract with Eutelsat which will see two 4K channels on both terrestrial and satellite networks. France 2 UHD, a full-time channel, and France 3 UHD, a part-time UHD channel dedicated to special events will be distributed via satellite to terrestrial transmitters across the French territory, as well as direct-to-home (DTH) via the Fransat platform. Eutelsat announced the deal, Nov. 13.

The channels will be broadcast via the Eutelsat 5 West B satellite using the new DVB-SIS (Single Illumination System) transmission technology standard. This enables France Télévisions to use a single content source, combining distribution to both the terrestrial network backbone (DTT) and DTH reception via Fransat, the free-to-view satellite platform for French DTT channels. In preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the service is scheduled to start by early 2024.

“With 4K standards, France Télévisions is delighted to be able to bring our France 2 and France 3 channels to our viewers with exceptional picture and sound quality. Eutelsat has provided us with an innovative and competitive solution for feeding terrestrial and satellite networks. Eutelsat’s technical expertise and quality of services were decisive for us,” Jacques Donat-Bouillud, Head of Distribution for France Télévisions, said in a statement.