MIPTV 2014 – CANNES. SatLink Communications has announced the launch of a new DVB-S2 platform on Eutelsat’s Hot Bird satellite.
In coordination with Sky Italia, an Italian digital satellite television platform, the cost effective service has been developed to meet the growing demand for HD content on a premium satellite to reach direct to home and the cable, satellite and pay-TV markets and will provide the highest audience penetration across Europe.
Located at 13.0 degrees East, the new Hotbird DVB-S2 platform will support the delivery of HD channels to the European cable, satellite and pay-TV platforms and will provide international broadcasters with the ability to effectively distribute its HD and SD content. Currently 120 million homes across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa receive TV Channels broadcasted via Eutelsat’s Hot Bird satellites. Recently, SatLink launched FTV HD and SD European feeds to the new Hotbird DVB-S2 platform.
Providing the uplink capabilities from SatLink’s facilities in Israel, the Hotbird platform will offer simulcrypt options, and enables the simultaneous broadcast of a transmission signal using multiple encryption and decryption systems, including the capability to add Sky Italia’s encryption system.
David Hochner, CEO of SatLink Communications, said: “The launch of the new Hot Bird DVB-S2 platform is another step in our continued development of SatLink’s services and offerings as we look to address the needs of both broadcasters and Pay TV platforms. The continuing growth of the HD market is the future for broadcasting across the regions as broadcasters look to enrich the viewer’s experience.
In a related development, SatLink Communications announced that the company has been selected by the Ethiopian Radio and Television Agency (ERTA) for the global distribution of its ETV news channel.
The Ethiopian Government owned television channel, whose broadcasts include news, entertainment, music and sports content, will extend its audience reach across Africa, North America, Europe and the Middle East over SatLink’s Global Satellite and Fibre Network.
