Focus: Broadcasting

[Via Satellite 10-08-2015] AsiaSat and Rohde & Schwarz have partnered to advance next-generation Ultra-HD TV technologies by implementing a Free to Air (FTA) Ultra-HD channel on AsiaSat 4. Broadcasters and pay-tv platforms with an AsiaSat 4 C-band antenna in the Asia-Pacific region will be able to receive the Ultra-HD channel directly. Operating at 122 degrees,...

[Via Satellite 10-07-2015] Eutelsat Communications’ new satellite, Eutelsat 8 West B, is online and actively broadcasting TV channels to more than 52 million homes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Launched on Aug. 20 by an Ariane 5 rocket, the new high-power satellite is collocated with a constellation of satellites operated by...

[Via Satellite 10-07-2015] Turkish satellite and cable operator Turksat has launched six channels from SPI International. The new channel lineup consists of the movie channels FilmBox and FilmBox Arthouse, the sports channels FightBox and Fast’nFunBox, the documentary channel DocuBox, and an international music channel 360 TuneBox. Along with the linear channels Türksat/Teledünya is also offering...

[Via Satellite 10-06-2015] Grupo Etercom, a value-added solution integrator in Mexico, has selected International Datacasting Corporation’s (IDC) Titan video contribution solution to refresh its Satellite Newsgathering (SNG) networks. The company cited the functionality of the encoder’s interface and the ruggedized design as reasons for the purchase. IDC’s Titan encoders are designed for outdoor broadcasting, and...

[Via Satellite 09-30-2015] French language network TV5Monde has entered into a long-term service agreement with AsiaSat to broadcast the channels TV5Monde Asie HD and TV5Monde Style HD throughout the Asia-Pacific via AsiaSat 5. TV5Monde Asie HD’s programming includes 18 daily newscasts, films and series, entertainment programs, documentaries, cultural programs, and international sports coverage available in...

[Via Satellite 09-29-2015] Hispasat’s Brazilian subsidiary Hispamar Satelites has reached an agreement with Empresa Brasil de Comunicacao (EBC), a Brazilian government-owned organization, for C-band capacity. EBC plans to use the capacity for contribution services for events and news broadcasting. EBC’s TV Brasil and NBR channels have been contributing news content throughout all of Brazil via...

[Via Satellite 09-29-2015] Measat has appointed Santosh Desai as sales director for the company’s Africa business. In his role, Desai will be responsible for opening new markets in Africa, developing sales channels, and managing customer accounts. Prior to joining Measat, Desai was head of products for satellite communications, media, and managed services for an India-based...

[Via Satellite 09-28-2015] Sky Deutschland, the major DTH operator in Germany and Austria, is likely to be one of the leaders in providing Ultra-HD channels and services in Europe. The operator had already run some early trials and will likely step up plans over the next two years. However, the amount of satellite bandwidth needed...

[Via Satellite 09-28-2015] Encompass Digital Media has appointed Joe Simon as its Chief Operating Officer (COO). In this role, Simon will oversee the company’s operations, products and technology. Previously, Simon served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) at Viacom. He led worldwide technology, Web development and operations for all of the company’s divisions: MTV Networks, MTVN...

[Via Satellite 09-25-2015] Sentech, a broadcasting signal distributor in Africa, has extended its contract with Intelsat for multiple years. Sentech will continue to leverage Ku-band capacity on Intelsat 20 at 68.5 degrees east to cost-effectively expand and enhance its Direct-to-Home (DTH) and Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services in Africa. The Intelsat 20 satellite will provide...