December 10 start for low-cost French pack

AB Sat’s low-cost package of 25 channels for the French market is to go live on December 10. The package from AB Sat division BIS will be known as Panorama and will be carried on Eutelsat’s Hot Bird neighbourhood at 13 degrees East and Atlantic Bird 3 at 5 degrees West. While Hot Bird will eventually lose the CanalSat pay-TV package, following the merger with TPS that previously used the position, 5 degrees West is the established home for the domestic public and private channels.

As previously reported in Broadband TV News, Panorama will consist of 25 channels including the majority of the French terrestrial channels carried as part of the so-called TNT platform. In addition to the basic offer five film channels will also be available.

Subscriptions to BIS will start at €4.90 a month and go up to €13.90 a month. Subscribers will be able to purchase a starter pack from High Street retailers, comprising a Viaccess decoder and smart card, a separate smart card only pack will be available for homes that already have a Viaccess decoder.