GlobeCast's African DTH platform has successfully started transmissions on SES Astra's Astra 4A (Sirius 4) satellite. African broadcaster VoxAfrica is one of the first channels to sign up for the new platform. It is the first Ku-band DTH platform with coverage over sub-Saharan Africa, providing broadcasters with the opportunity to reach households across the continent.
Freesat has appointed TechniSat Digital as a manufacturer of high definition digital satellite receivers for 2009. TechniSat Digital Group is a consumer electronics organisation specialising in premium DVB products. TechniSat will be launching with the HDFS Satellite HD digital receiver – a premium product for the reception of all Freesat SD and HD services which […]
The worldwide market for pay-Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite television rose significantly in 2008, with an estimated 18 percent rise in subscriptions, reports In-Stat. The primary reason for this increase was strong growth in the Indian market, which more than doubled to about 9 million subscribers at the end of 2008, the high-tech market research firm says. […]
From Branislav Pekic in Rome Italian public broadcaster RAI has cancelled its deal with DTH operator Sky Italia for the use of the NDS encryption standard, six months before its expiry date. As a result, from the end July, RAI's TV channels may not be visible via Sky Italia's STB, with the blacking out of […]
European satellite giant SES reported 2008 earnings hit by one-offs and trimmed its outlook for revenue growth this year, but said it was barely affected by the economic crisis. EBITDA rose 0.9 per cent to E1.10 billion. The figure included a E19.2 million hit from restructuring and the termination of IP-PRIME, its IPTV service in […]
Eutelsat Communications and its partners Numeo and Sat2Way, have confirmed the immediate launch in France of broadband access at no more than E35 a month, equipment included. This new initiative is consistent with Action No. 1 of the “Digital France 2012” Plan announced by the French government in October 2008, which aims to guarantee broadband […]
The theory that home-entertainment wins out in a recession is proved again with the latest results from BSkyB. Europe's biggest pay-TV operation announced net customer growth of 171,000 for the second quarter (to December 31, 2008), up from 167,000 for the like period a year earlier. Total base is now 9.24m. Like for like operating […]
Dish TV, India’s number one direct-to-home (DTH) company, will invest an estimated Rs 1,600 crore (E25m) in 2009-10 to acquire new customers and improve back-end operations. The company which is close to achieving the 5 million subscriber-mark said it hopes to touch 8 million subscribers by the end of 2010. Salil Kapoor, chief operating officer, […]
Leading Italian broadcasters Rai and Mediaset, together with Telecom Italia Media, are to launch a free-to-air satellite platform in June. The venture is expected to employ Eutelsat’s Hot Bird satellite – already widely used by Italian DTH broadcasters. Unveiling the service, Mediaset chairman Fedele Confalonieri said the joint venture would boost competition with Sky Italia.
David Del Valle in Madrid A Spanish Court in the North of the Country has sentenced a hotelier to six months in jail and to pay E20,000 for pirating Sogecable-controlled pay-TV platform Digital Plus. It is the first jail conviction in the country, but, possibly not the last one as there are 15 legal proceedings […]