MultiChoice signs new agreement with Eutelsat

Since the beginning of January, MultiChoice has been carrying out the transfer of television channels onto the new satellite from the 14 transponders used until now on W4 and SESAT 1 at 36 degrees East. This majority of transponders were successfully migrated by 18 January, with the last transponder scheduled to move to W7 on 1 February 2010. The additional six transponders leased on W7 will be progressively activated by MultiChoice Africa to support new services, including High Definition channels.

With the move to W7, MultiChoice Africa has consolidated all of its Ku-band pay-TV activity outside Southern Africa onto one Eutelsat satellite. In addition to better signal levels and improved coverage for all the regions already served from Eutelsat's 36 degrees East neighbourhood, MultiChoice Africa has extended its Ku-band service to additional countries, notably Ethiopia, which has been receiving DStv in C-band, requiring large domestic antennas.

Eutelsat plans to also actively support the MultiChoice Resource Centre (MRC) programme which uses the digital satellite platform to enhance the learning and teaching experience in over 710 schools across Africa. Eutelsat aims to further support MultiChoice's objectives and will deliver additional educational content focused on building knowledge and understanding of satellite applications and engineering.

Collins Khumalo, president of MultiChoice Africa said: “The launch of the W7 satellite will enable us to significantly improve our DStv services on the continent while remaining at the cutting edge of African pay television entertainment. This new satellite will deliver a better DStv signal, a greater selection of channels and allow us to introduce exciting new High Definition services.”

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat's chief executive officer, responded: “After ten years of strong collaboration at our 36 degrees East neighbourhood, the Eutelsat / MultiChoice Africa partnership can now move into a higher gear with W7. In terms of capacity, coverage and power, the long-term requirements of this leading player in Africa's buoyant pay-TV market were one of Eutelsat's core priorities when we initiated this new satellite programme. We are delighted to welcome MultiChoice Africa on board W7 and that this is their satellite of choice to deliver a compelling range of digital services to African homes in 38 countries.”