Eutelsat Communications is now carrying over 6,000 channels, the Paris-based satellite operator has announced.
The Middle East and Africa has performed particularly well with one on three channels on Eutelsat satellites targeted one of the two regions. In Sub-Saharan Africa, half of the 1,136 satellite channels broadcast today are transmitted by Eutelsat. The share of Eutelsat channels in the total satellite offer in the Middle East and North Africa is even higher, with two out of three channels choosing Eutelsat, notably the 7/8° West neighbourhood where 80 channels were added in October 2015 on the new Eutelsat 8 West B satellite.
Last month rival SES said it was delivering over 7,200 channels.
Commenting on the new milestone, Michel Azibert, Eutelsat’s commercial and development director said: “Broadcasting is at the heart of Eutelsat’s DNA. We have invested in and developed video neighbourhoods across the globe, spearheaded the transition to new formats and compression rates, partnered with anchor pay and free-to-view platforms and are developing solutions in step with changing viewing patterns. The milestone of 6,000 channels sets a new record for Eutelsat and reflects our resolve to be the satellite company of choice for the broadcasting community.”
Eutelsat has also announced first half results of €774 million, up 1.5% on a like-for-like, and in line expectations.
The operator has recently placed an order for an all-electric high throughput satellite that will scale up our broadband efforts in Africa following the lease of capacity on AMOS-6 satellite. Its also announced a joint venture with ViaSat to support the commercial performance of KA-SAT.
