D – Digital A – Analogue

90 degreesE:

Yamal 102
D – Tumen TV from Russia is new on 3575MHz LHCP, SR 4355, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 in clear MPEG-2. Radio station Ekho Moskvy can be found on APID 257 on the same frequency.

78.5 degreesE:

Thaicom 2&3
D – The Serbian TV channel, Pink Plus, has joined the RR Communications multiplex on 3550MHz horizontal, SR 13333, FEC 3/4 in free-to-air MPEG-2 via PIDs V769, A770. The programming is in parallel with the Pink Plus outlet on Hotbird at 13 degrees East, 12476MHz horizontal. Sky Racing Channel has launched on 3565MHz horizontal, SR 5000, FEC 3/4, VPID 512, APID 650 in clear MPEG-2. MRTV from Myanmar, formerly Burma, has opened on 3666MHz horizontal, SR 6786, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

75 degreesE:

LMI-1
D – MSC from Sri Lanka has launched via an SCPC carrier on 3435MHz horizontal, SR 3500, FEC 7/8, VPID 1160, APID 1130 in clear MPEG-2.
A – Israeli IBA TV channels which recently vacated Intelsat 707 at 1 degree West are slowly appearing here. IBA Channel 1 can be found on 12577MHz horizontal in clear pal with audio via the 6.60. 7.02, 7.38 and 7.92MHz sub-carriers. No doubt most of these sub-carriers will carry audio channels in the future. IBA Channel 3 can be seen on 12667MHz horizontal. There are several radio channels present in the baseband on this frequency. They are; 7.38MHz – Reshet Bet, 7.74MHz – Kol Hamusica, 7.92MHz – Reshet Dalet and 8.10MHz – Reshet Gimmel. Unfortunately these signals do not quite make it into the UK but are fairly well received as far west as Germany. The footprint map for LMI-1’s South beam, which is used by the Israeli channels shows that a level of 47 dBW can be expected in Israel, the area around Nepal and the south east tip of Asia. Looking at the configuration of the A beam, as used by TV Malagasy on C-Band, a level of just 35/36 dBW will be achieved in the south east tip of the UK.

68.5 degreesE:

Pas 4 & 7
D – The Movie Channel 2 (TMC2) has joined the Showtime line-up on 11464MHz horizontal, VPID 519, APID 657 in Irdeto encoded MPEG-2.
A – On November 16 at 13:35 a second hop feed from several US hospital cardiology departments (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago etc.) was fed over 11090MHz horizontal in clear Pal with audio via the 6.60/7.20MHz sub-carriers.

64 degreesE:

Intelsat 804
D – Once again the PIDs for the three TV Africa channels on 3667MHz RHCP, SR 11716, FEC 3/4 have been changed. They now read TV Africa 1 – V513, A660, TV Africa 2 – V514, A670 and TV Africa 3 – V515, A680. Tanzanian channel ITV has left 3645MHz RHCP, SR 4443, FEC 1/2.

62 degreesE:

Intelsat 602
A – A westbound feed for the German channel ARD was fed over 4188MHz RHCP in clear Pal on November 16 at 16:50 from the broadcaster’s Delhi studio. The subject matter of the feed was arranged marriages.

55 degreesE

Insat 2DT
A – Several regional variations from the Indian state broadcaster Doordarshan continue to be available here. The current regular occupants are DD16 – Uttar Pradesh 3959MHz LHCP, DD13 – Assam 3976 MHz RHCP, DD14 – Jaipur 4014MHz RHCP, DD15 – Madhya Pradesh 4033MHz LHCP, DD6 – Oriya 4049MHz RHCP and DD17 – Bihar 4070MHz LHCP. All of these are in clear Pal with audio via the 5.50MHz sub-carrier. Three feed transponders complete the line up at 3811MHz LHCP, 3922MHz LHCP and 4089MHz RHCP.

48 degreesE:

Eutelsat II-F1
D – Italia Mia has returned to 11609MHz horizontal, SR 2000, FEC 5/6, VPID 4194, APID 4195 after a absence of several weeks.

47.5 degreesE:

Europe*Star B
D – Some occasional feed traffic, primarily originating from eastern Europe has been sighted on 12630MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 in clear MPEG-2.

45 degreesE:

Europe*Star 1
D – Transponder soak tests are being carried out here. So far two transponders, 11495MHz horizontal and 11660 MHz vertical have been received in Europe with poor/excellent reception respectively.

42 degreesE:

Tukrsat 1C
D – The Turkish radio stations, Radyo XL and Radyo Nostalji are still free-to-air on 11023MHz vertical, SR 6509, FEC 5/6. However, the Cinespor TV channel, which up to now has been broadcasting in the clear, has encoded.

36 degreesE:

Eutelsat W4 & Sesat
D – The Serb channel, Anem TV, has returned to 12656MHz horizontal, SR 2961, FEC 3/4, VPID 4194, APID 4195 after a short break. Belgrade based radio station B2-92 has also returned to this frequency via APID 4197.

30.5 degreesE:

Arabsat 2B
D – Oman TV has launched on 12740MHz vertical, SR 4462, FEC 7/8 in clear MPEG-2. Radio Sultanate of Oman has also opened here.

28.5 degreesE:

Kopernikus DFS2 & Eutelsat II-F4
D – Eutelsat-II-F4, formerly of 10 degrees East and 7 degrees East has arrived here and has already started to take over duties from Kopernikus-DFS2. VT4, 4FM, Radio Magdalena and C-Dance have all switched to a Eutelsat transponder at 12702MHz vertical, SR 5632, FEC 3/4. The German Catholic channel, K-TV Fernsehen, left 12507MHz vertical, SR 2733, FEC 5/6 and Deejay TV seems to have vacated 12524MHz vertical, SR 2892, FEC 3/4. However, a couple of days later both channels launched via Eutelsat-II-F4 transponders. K-TV has appeared on 12723MHz vertical, SR 2733, FEC 5/6, V33, A34 and Deejay is using 12718MHz vertical, SR 2892, FEC 3/4, V4194, A4195. Both channels are free-to-air.
A – Radio Eviva and TeleClub have both left 11522MHz horizontal.

28.2 degreesE:

Astra 1D/2A & 2B
D – Astra-2B officially entered service on November 13 with its 30 Ku-Band transponders operating in the range 11700-12750MHz. Some transponders have been switched from Astra- 2A to the new craft which has upset the expatriate community who unofficially watch UK TV channels from this Astra constellation, particularly in the Iberian Peninsula where signal levels have dropped considerably. However, in some other parts of Europe signal levels have increased. Astra-1D, which was to have been returned to its former slot at 19.2 degrees East once 2B was up and running is to remain here until the forthcoming Astra-2D enters service in January, 2001. Astra-2C – yes they are out of sequence – is slated for a launch in June, 2001. Travel Deals has joined the Sky Digital line up on 12051MHz vertical, VPID 2322, APID 2324. Sky Business Channel which can be found on 12363MHz vertical has been replaced by the Sky Pub Channel. Artsworld has officially launched on 12480MHz vertical, V2313, A2314, Sky Channel 199 and the Inspiration Network has opened via two streams on 12129MHz vertical, V2319/2329, A2321/2330. Christmas Holiday Music has launched on 12363MHz vertical, A2479, Sky Channel 850. Bangla TV is dual illuminating on 11973MHz vertical. In addition to the original feed on V2316, A2318 the channel is also available via PIDs V2328, A2330. Several channels have started to use 12168MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 2/3 which is becoming a full blown Channel 4 bouquet. They are; Channel 4 regional variations for London, South, Midlands, North, Northern Ireland and Scotland, Film Four, E4, Film Four Extreme and Channel 4 Extra. All of the channels in this digital platform are, not surprisingly, encoded in Videoguard. The Sky Digital Info Channel has launched on 12188MHz horizontal, V2305, A2306. Three of the channels on 12226MHz horizontal have undergone PID changes. The current configuration is Granada Breeze – V2308, A2309, The History Channel – V2310, A2311 and The Racing channel – V2312, A2313. Star TV are to break into the UK market with the launch of Star Plus and Star News on Sky Digital in January, 2001. Star is joining the gaggle of Asian broadcasters who are providing the delights of Bollywood etc. to the huge Indian and Pakistani audience in the UK. Star Plus is a general entertainment channel with programming mostly in the Hindi language for Indian viewers. However, as the Hindi language is almost identical to Urdu, which is spoken by some citizens of North West India and notably Pakistan so those originating from both countries are catered for. Star News will provide 24 hour a day news from Asia in both Hindi and English.

26 degreesE:

Arabsat 2A & 3A
D – The EMI Special Channel has returned to 11855MHz horizontal, SR 4444, FEC 7/8. The channel is now free-to-air but was previously encoded in Viaccess. International News Network have started test transmissions on 11747MHz vertical, VPID 2760, APID 2720. Tele Liban has been replaced by Al-Mustakillah Television at 11747MHz vertical, VPID 2960, APID 2920 and Al-Mustakillah Television has been replaced on 12032MHz horizontal by Saudi Channel 2 on VPID 4860, APID 4820. A newcomer to the ART line-up on 12605MHz horizontal, ART Monajah, has started regular programming via PIDs V523, A760 in clear MPEG-2.
A – International News Network (INN) is testing on 12735MHz vertical in clear Pal. The Palestine Satellite Channel has left 12735MHz vertical and has moved to 12536MHz vertical.

23.5 degreesE:

Kopernikus DFS1
D – Panorama TV, which airs live camera shots from various alpine locations in Austria and Germany and includes real time weather information, has launched on 12541MHz vertical, SR 2168, FEC 7/8, VPID 1953, APID 1956 in clear MPEG-2. The output here is in parallel to Panorama TV’s original outlet on Eutelsat-W2 at 16 degrees East.

19.2 degreesE:

Astra 1A-C & E-H
D – The CanalSat Finance Channel on 12324 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 has changed PIDs to V2047, A8191. The French version of EuroSport is coming and going on 12012MHz vertical via PIDs V163, A92. Wish Line, the very upmarket shopping channel has launched via a new outlet at 12610MHz vertical, VPID 193. It is accompanied by four language soundtracks offering French – A195, English – A196, Italian – A197 and Spanish – A198.
A – There is a new ADR station on 10964MHz horizontal via the 7.38MHz sub-carrier on the back of ZDF. It is Harmony FM from Germany. Total rock Radio has left the 7.56MHz audio sub-carrier at 11244MHz horizontal (see Astra 28.2 degrees East).

16 degreesE:

Eutelsat W2
D – The M6 Music Awards from Paris were fed over 12544MHz horizontal, SR 11264, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 in clear MPEG-2 during the evening of November 17. The EPG data read “FTR/F.33/1/11MB PAL” (see also NSS-K at 21.5 degrees West).

13 degreesE:

Hot Birds 1/2/3/4/5
D – Tele-24 from Switzerland has changed PIDs on 12380MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. They are now V3022, A3033. Tele-24 is available in free-to-air MPEG-2. Reminiscent TV and Reminiscent Radio appear to have vacated 12380MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 after a very short stay. Two radio stations from Sharjah, one of the United Arab Emirates, have launched on 12654MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. They are identified in the EPG as Sharjah FML R and Sharjah FMR R. The Greek channels Nova Cinema and K-TV Hellas have swapped frequencies. Nova Cinema can now be found on 10930MHz horizontal, VPID 514, APID 670 and K-TV Hellas is residing at 11823MHz horizontal, VPID 521, APID 740. Both channels are encoded in Irdeto. There is a new Antena Hungaria testcard on 12149MHz vertical, V39, A37 in clear MPEG-2. A Canal+ testcard has appeared on 11283MHz vertical, VPID 166, APID 104. Fox Sports Europe and Fox Kids Russia on 10723MHz horizontal, which were in the clear are now encrypted. Stream Canale Info from Italy has launched within the Stream multiplex on 11881MHz, VPID 517, APID 700. The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, which is based in Rabat, Morocco have stated their intention to launch a pan-Islamic satellite channel.
A – The Polish independent TV channel TVN has opened on 11148MHz horizontal in clear Pal.

10 degreesE:

Eutelsat W1
A – The Turkish radio station Radyo Pop has been replaced by NTV Radyo on 10987MHz horizontal via the 7.02/7.20MHz audio sub-carriers.

0.8 degrees/1 degreesW:

Thor 1, 2 & 3 & Intelsat 707
D – Doordarshan World TV is now encoded in Conax on 11174MHz horizontal.

7 degreesW:

Nilesat 101 & 102
D – In parallel to their transmissions on Arabsat at 26 degrees East ART Monajah has launched on 12073MHz horizontal, VPID 3085, APID 3086 in Irdetoencoded MPEG-2. TMC2 (The Movie Channel 2) has launched within the Showtime multiplex at 11996MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 3068, APID 3069. It is encoded in Irdeto. EDTV Space Channel and EDTV Sports from Dubai have changed PIDs. They are now V2100/2200, A2110/2210 respectively. Both channels are currently free-to-air. Some more PID changes, EuroSport on 11900 MHz now V351, A354 and at 11861MHz vertical the Abu Dhabi Space Channel now V1102, A1103.

15 degreesW:

Telstar 12
D – The Symbol Rate for the Taiwanese multiplex on 12618MHz horizontal which contains Tzu Chi TV and CFN has changed to 5533.The feed traffic for LDS TV, or to give it it’s full name Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Television, has changed parameters on 11564MHz horizontal. The current status is SR 4652, FEC 1/2, VPID 33. The feeds are accompanied by up to 10 audio streams on APIDs 4410-4410.

18 degreesW:

Intelsat 705
A – A feed for the Italian programme Porta a Porta from Trieste was relayed over 11135MHz vertical in clear Pal on November 15 at 17:35.

21.3 degrees/21.5 degreesW:

NSS-803 & NSS-K
D – Live coverage of the M6 Music Awards was fed over 11628MHz horizontal, SR 5630, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256, EPG ident: ‘8MHZ BASIC’ on November 17 from around 20:00 in free-to-air MPEG-2 (see also Eutelsat-W2 at 16 degrees East). On November 18 at 21:45 a new US movie All The Pretty Horses was being aired on 11590MHz vertical in clear MPEG-2. There was no indication of who the recipient of the feed might be.

30 degreesW:

Hispasat 1A/B/C
D – The Spanish channel Localia on 11589MHz vertical, SR 2999, FEC 3/4, which has been free-to-air since it’s launch several weeks ago is now encoded.

31.5 degreesW:

Intelsat 801
D – A feed for the BBC’s Children in Need appeal was fed over 10964MHz vertical, SR 5630, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 for BBC South West in clear MPEG-2 at 19:00 on November 17.

34.5 degreesW:

Intelsat 601
A – A programme from the all-news channel Noticias Television Colombia was fed over 4166MHz RHCP in clear NTSC on November 13 at 20:00.

40.5 degreesW:

NSS-806
D – Two Argentine radio stations have joined the multiplex on 3640MHz RHCP. They are AM Red 92 – A3062 and FM Red 92 – A3071. There are now three channels from Argentina in the digital platform on 3971MHz LHCP, SR 6518, FEC 7/8 – Argentinisima, Sersat 3, and the new Claravision (V1260, A1220). All of the channels here are available in free-to-air MPEG- 2.

43 degreesW:

PAS-3R & PAS-6
D – New York radio station, WCBS Newsradio 88 has sadly left the CBS multiplex on 12636MHz horizontal. This station always made for some interesting listening with frequent weather and traffic reports for downtown New York, not to mention the phone-ins.

45 degreesW:

PAS-1
D – PAS-1’s replacement craft, PAS-1R, launched from Kourou on November 16 at 01:07. The new satellite is the largest and most powerful geostationary craft to be launched. It carries a payload of 72 transponders providing coverage of Europe, Africa, the Americas and the Caribbean region. On November 18 at around 20:00 no less than five EBU streams appeared on 11514MHz horizontal, SR 26393, FEC 5/6 in clear NTSC. The streams were all displaying colour bars. Presumably PAS-1’s digital capacity was brought into service for the frequent eastbound feed traffic out of the US in the aftermath of the presidential elections.

58 degreesW:

PAS-5
D – Several feeds for the Japanese network NHK from Florida as the hand counting of votes saga continues were fed over 11595MHz horizontal, SR 5630, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256, EPG: PACSAT in clear NTSC on 17-20 November.

All times in UTC unless otherwise stated.

SR – Symbol Rate
FEC – Forward Error Correction
VPID – Video Programme Identifier
APID – Audio Programme Indentifier

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