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Satnews Daily
July 30, 2008
Eutelsat Affirms Own Independence And No NTDTV Prejudice
During the night of June 16th to 17th, 2008, Eutelsat’s W5 satellite at 70.5° E experienced an anomaly which led to the loss of the use of one of the spacecraft’s two solar arrays. Following standard procedures, and after analysis of technical data, the decision was taken to switch-off four of the satellite’s 24 transponders to enable sufficient power to be maintained to operate the 20 remaining transponders in service. Alternative capacity on other Eutelsat satellites was proposed to clients concerned by the switch-off of W5’s transponders. However, as Eutelsat has no alternative satellite providing coverage of South-East Asia and parts of China, it has not been possible to propose a solution with this coverage for clients only interested in broadcasting over this region. In such cases, Eutelsat has investigated and identified solutions on satellites commercialized by other operators with coverage of the region. A list of operators who could able to replace W5 was sent to RRsat, the company providing broadcast services on W5 for EuroNews, C-Music, and NTDTV. EuroNews resumed broadcasting over South-East Asia and parts of China on the AsiaSat 2 satellite on June 30th, 2008. A solution is currently being put in place for C-Music. As far as Eutelsat understands, NTDTV has not explored alternative solutions.
“Eutelsat affirms that it holds absolutely no prejudice against channels broadcast by its satellites and notably NTDTV”, states Philippe Mc Allister Eutelsat’s General Counsel, who also says, “NTDTV continues to broadcast in Europe via our HOT BIRD™ video neighbourhood”. Philippe Mc Allister adds: “Eutelsat has no direct relationship with NTDTV, which procures its services from RRsat, a worldwide operator of broadcast services. Our activity as an independent satellite operator gives us no authority or prerogative of control over the content transported by capacity leased by client broadcasters.”
