As Galaxy 15 continues to stray eastward, the potential of interference with other communications satellites is considered highly likely. Based on the current path, Galaxy 15 is expected to cross into the orbital space of AMC 11, the SES WORLD SKIES owned satellite, on May 25 and exit on June 7. The greatest potential for interference will occur between May 29 and June 1. AMC 11 provides transmission service for all standard definition services for Scripps-owned HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Great American Country and the soon-to-be launched Cooking Channel, as well as several other cable television networks.
“Scripps Networks’ transmission engineers have worked closely with Intelsat, SES and other programmers to develop a comprehensive plan and take every action to avoid this potential interference,” said Mark Hale, executive vice president and chief technology officer of Scripps Networks Interactive, the parent company of Scripps Networks. “We believe we have a sound strategy for mitigating the situation, and we are proactively reaching out to all of our distribution partners to provide the details of the transmission adjustments that must be made to maintain our programming signals without interruption.”
Scripps’ mitigation strategy begins with increasing transponder sensitivity to create a greater transmit margin, between AMC 11 and Galaxy 15. Scripps has also established secondary feeds on AMC 1 and AMC 2. Both satellites are safe from the zone of interference. The final step involves SES moving its AMC 11 satellite out of the interference area. The temporary feeds are available to affiliates now through June 8. SES will steer AMC 11 back to its designated course after Galaxy 15 has passed beyond that space.
Scripps Networks has sent more detailed transmission instructions to its distribution partners via e-mail and in a letter. The information also has been posted on Scripps Networks’ affiliate website.