Advanced Television

DTH/Satellite

IRG tackles interference at CommunicAsia

The Satellite Interference Reduction Group (IRG) will be involved with a number of discussions and meetings to discuss the resolution of satellite interference at CommunicAsia. With the Olympics just around the corner, IRG is continuing to push forward with its goal to introduce Carrier Identification for video transmissions in time for the start of the […]

June 13, 2012

Germany hits 18m cable subs

German cable operators association ANGA says that cable remains dominant as the favoured TV delivery method. ANGA says more than 18 million German homes (42 per cent) still take a cable service despite the growing shift towards DTH supply and the availability of DSL connections. AMGA says that all German cable networks now offer digital […]

June 12, 2012By Chris Forrester

Loral satellites cleared for take-off

It seems that EchoStar-17, a satellite built by Space Systems/Loral, has been cleared for launch by Arianespace on July 5. The satellite was held back while awaiting a report on the problems that occurred with a Sea Launch/Energia rocket launch on May 31st ago, and which resulted in the Intelsat – 19 satellite not being […]

June 12, 2012

SatLink opens new office in Singapore

SatLink Communications, a leading teleport delivering content to every corner of the world, has expanded its operations into Asia by opening a new office in Singapore. The new office will support the company’s strategy to expand its reach and provide a gateway for broadcasters, enterprises and telecoms operators into and out of Asia.  The office […]

June 12, 2012

SES: Spain DTT migration will cause interference

The DTT migration to new frequencies to be started in September (and to be completed before January 2014) to allocate the so-called digital dividend will cause interference to the digital signals, according to SES Astra. The Business Director of the Spanish subsidiary of the Luxembourg-based company SES, SES Astra Iberica, Miguel Pingarrón, has warned that […]

June 11, 2012From David Del Valle in Madrid

Intelsat-19 suffered “unusual” launch event

It is too early to be sure, but data released by rocket launch company Sea Launch indicates that something unusual happened just 72 seconds into the flight of Intelsat-19 on May 31st. One of the satellite’s all-important solar panels failed to deploy following launch. Sea Launch used a Russian-built Energia rocket as its launch vehicle, […]

June 11, 2012By Chris Forrester

“Rubbish” says Comcast on BSkyB bid rumour

The New York Times reported June 8 that Comcast – still digesting its giant purchase of NBC – is now looking for another meal, and has BSkyB in its sights. Despite a very firm denial from Comcast’s CFO Michael Angelakis, who stated that the report was total speculation and inaccurate, the bid rumour sent BSkyB’s […]

June 11, 2012

Eutelsat claims 50% of African TV

Research agency Datixis says satellite TV is the star broadcasting performer over Africa and the Indian Ocean islands, where there are now more than 1250 channels operating. Eutelsat satellites supply more than half of this number. According to Datixis, the number of satellite homes in Africa will experience a solid year-to-year growth in the coming […]

June 11, 2012By Chris Forrester

Saudis get tough over satellite TV

Saudi Arabia’s powerful Ministry of Culture & Information is reportedly creating a special team of monitors to view satellite broadcasting over the pan-Arab region and to prosecute those channels the Saudis believe are inciting “tribal passions”. The comments are believed to refer to local (that is Saudi Arabian) channels that broadcast from within the country. […]

June 11, 2012By Chris Forrester

Intelsat-19 problem looks at rocket launch

A detailed investigation is taking place into why a solar panel has failed to deploy on Intelsat-19, and one focus of examination is looking at whether the Sea Launch’s rocket fairing suffered excessive vibration during the launch process. While this aspect is only one of the studies being undertaken the pressure is on satellite builders […]

June 8, 2012By Chris Forrester