Focus: Broadcasting

[Satellite Today 07-14-08] Sea Launch has initiated a 72-hour countdown for the launch of EchoStar 11, the company announced.     Built by Space Systems/Loral (SS/L), the spacecraft carries a Ku-band payload that supports Dish Network’s direct broadcast television service in the United States. The spacecraft will be located at 110° West.     Liftoff is scheduled...

[Satellite Today 07-14-08]  The capacity of the W5 satellite has been permanently reduced due to the technical problems the satellite suffered in June, satellite operator Eutelsat announced July 11.     Following a problem with the satellite’s power generator subsystem, Eutelsat switched off four of W5’s transponders. The power performance of the spacecraft has been stabilized,...

[Satellite News – 07-15-08] After battling government red tape, hostile Congressmen and lobbying groups for more than a year, Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio seem on the cusp of closing their proposed merger.     Now a more daunting challenge has appeared — a device popular with a younger market, a product that provides...

[Satellite Today 07-11-08] Modern Times Group (MTG), which runs satellite pay-TV operations in the Nordics and Eastern Europe, appointed Irina Gofman CEO of MTG Russia & CIS, the company said July 10.     Gofman, also named member of the MTG´s executive management team, will be responsible for MTG´s free-TV and pay-TV activities in the region....

[Satellite Today 07-11-08] Reporters Without Borders has called on Eutelsat CEO Giuliano Berretta to react to a recorded conversation the organization claims took place between a Eutelsat employee in Beijing and an interlocutor posing as a Chinese Propaganda Department official.     During the discussion, the alleged Eutelsat employee, whose name was withheld, claimed that New...

[Satellite Today – 07-10-08] Ciel Satellite Group received approval from the Canadian government to develop several orbital slots, SES, the primary shareholder of Ciel, said July 9.     Industry Canada issued Ciel approvals to develop the following spectrum  Ka-band fixed satellite services at 91° West and 109.2° West;17-giagahertz broadcast satellite services at 91° West, 103°...

[Satellite Today – 07-10-08] Arqiva is supporting a new military history channel launching on BSkyB’s direct-to-home platform, Arqiva said July 9.     Under a five-year contract, Arqiva will provide playout services for the Military History channel from Arqiva’s Chalfont Grove facility, which will also uplink the channel onto the company’s Eurobird satellite capacity.     Arqiva...

[Satellite Today 07-09-08]  RRsat Global Communications Network Ltd. signed an agreement with WatchIndia TV, a subscription-based live broadcast and on-demand video platform and subsidiary of Live Asia TV.     According to the agreement, RRsat will provide WatchIndia TV with various transmission services including downlinking, turnaround, playout, and Internet connectivity. WatchIndia TV hopes that the agreement...

[Satellite Today – 07-09-08] Space Systems/Loral (SS/L) has been awarded a contract to manufacture a new spacecraft for Spain’s Hispasat Group, SS/L announced July 9.     Hispasat 1E, scheduled to be available for launch in 2010, will be capable of operating up to 53 Ku-band transponders and is based on SS/L’s 1300 platform. The spacecraft...

[Satellite Today 07-08-08] MotoSat has been acquired by the Balaton Group Inc., a private equity firm based in Toronto, the companies announced July 8.     MotoSat, founded in 1984 as a manufacturer of automated satellite television antennas for the recreational vehicle market, has about 110 employees based in Utah. Balaton CEO Robert Kubbernus said the...