Focus: Broadcasting

[Satellite TODAY 10-25-11] FSS operator SES’ new Astra 1N satellite has entered commercial service at the orbital position of 28.2 degrees East, the company confirmed Oct. 24.    The satellite was built by Astrium based on the Eurostar E3000 platform and is equipped with 52 transponders in the Ku frequency band. Arianespace successfully launched Astra...

[Satellite TODAY 10-20-11] Canadianbroadcaster Shaw Communications has struck a multi-year distribution agreement with Bell Media for the right to carry its channels, the Calgary-based company announced Oct. 19.     Shaw, one of Canada’s largest cable operators with approximately four million subscribers, said it has secured access to 30 specialty channels, including sports networks TSN and...

[Satellite News 10-20-11] Several analysis firms issued reports Oct. 19 forecasting a rapid deployment of hybrid set-top-boxes (STBs) by global pay-TV operators worldwide to help them deliver advanced services and manage bandwidth scarcity in broadcast networks.    ABI Digital Home Analyst Sam Rosen explained that only 40 percent of STBs worldwide featured hybrid capabilities in...

[Satellite TODAY Insider 10-18-11] Sirius XM Radio has introduced its new Edge dock and radio satellite unit, which aims to enable users to receive an expanded lineup of commercial-free music channels, sports and comedy, as well as the SiriusXM Latino suite of Spanish-language channels, SiriusXM announced Oct. 17.    The satellite broadcaster said the launch...

[Satellite TODAY 10-18-11] International telco Telefónica has deployed Wowza Media Server software as a component on its new multi-screen content delivery network (CDN), Telefónica announced Oct. 17.    Telefónica said it would use the Wowza Media Server software to deliver a range of services for Adobe Flash and Microsoft Silverlight-capable computers, smartphones and tablets, as...

[Satellite TODAY 10-18-11] GlobeCast has signed fashion broadcaster Fashion One TV to a capacity lease on the Astra satellite located at the 19.2 degrees East orbital slot covering Europe and Northern Africa, GlobeCast announced Oct. 17.    GlobeCast will receive Fashion One’s signal in standard definition at its Paris teleport, where the signal will then...

[Satellite News 10-18-11] The Canadian government established its Local Programming Improvement Fund in 2008 through a 1.5 percent levy on the gross broadcasting revenues of larger cable and satellite distributors to issue approximately $100 million a year in financial support for conventional television stations in small markets that were affected by the recent economic downturn....

[Satellite TODAY 10-14-11] Home2US has renewed its long-term capacity agreement with SES for transponder space on SES-1 to expand its international DTH platform serving ethnic audiences across the United States, SES announced Oct. 13.    The multi-year, multi-transponder deal on SES-1 will support Home2US’ addition of six new television networks and five new radio channels...

[Satellite TODAY Insider 10-13-11] Turner Broadcasting System (TBS) has signed capacity renewal agreements with SES for nearly seven transponders on four satellites for distribution of news and entertainment programs throughout North America and Europe, SES announced Oct. 12.    The multi-year, multi-satellite deal will see TBS use five transponders of Ku-band capacity aboard SES’ AMC-3...

[Satellite News 10-13-11] As one of the most instantly recognizable global broadcasting brands, Discovery has aimed to be seen a pioneer in bringing 3-D TV content to households in the United States. Now, the broadcaster is turning its attention to international markets and hopes to establish a strong global presence in the near future.  ...