SatLink Communications launches new Hot Bird DVB-S platform to deliver HD content to Europe

SatLink Communications, a global teleport, content management and HD playout services provider, has today announced the launch of a new DVB-S2 platform on Eutelsats 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, expanding both revenues and audience reach, to the regions Pay-TV and Direct To Home markets. Currently 120 million homes across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa receive TV Channels broadcasted via Eutelsats Hot Bird satellites. Recently SatLink launched FTV HD and SD European feeds to the new Hotbird DVB-S2 platform.

Providing the uplink capabilities from SatLinks 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 Italias encryption system.

The new DVB-S2 platform offers powerful wide beam coverage to Europe and the Middle East enabling a cost-effective solution for video distribution to the regions. With increased bandwidth capacity, the DVB-S2 platform offers more Mbps in a specific space segment for the transmission of HD content and offers a route to a high growth market for broadcasters. With Hot Bird currently hosting over 600 Pay TV channels and providing the widest European penetration over alternative satellites, the new platform will provide greater capacity to the region and ensure the reliable distribution of high quality and feature rich content.

As a global provider of satellite transmission and broadcast services, SatLink will offer full end-to-end solutions to broadcasters including HD playout and channel localisation, content management, iStream and encryption (conditional access) solutions.

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 SatLinks 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 viewers experience. Combining our experience with the market and our geographical location at the crossroads of Europe, the Middle East and Africa we are perfectly positioned to provision this satellite service for international broadcasters. For those broadcasters seeking longevity in the market, the provisioning and contribution of HD content is the most effective way to cement your position within the Pay TV market as audiences continue to demand HD content as the de facto standard of television viewing."

SatLink will be exhibiting its broadcasting and content management capabilities, including the benefits of the new Hot Bird DVB-S2 platform, at MIPTV in Cannes, 7th-10th April on Stand P-1.J-14.

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