[SatNews] We knew we had to change our satellite distribution partner... is the perfect match for FTV as we share the same creative ethos and strive to further enhance the viewing experience
SatLink Communications, a global teleport, content management and HD playout services provider, has announced it has been extended its agreement with global channel, Fashion TV (FTV), for the global playout, content management and distribution of its HD and SD channels. As a part of the agreement, SatLink will distribute FTV’s content via satellite to Asia on AsiaSat3S, America on IS805 C-Band platform and to Europe on the new Hotbird DVB-S2 platform, which provides cost effective HD contribution to the Cable, Satellite and Pay TV Markets in the region.
The extension of SatLink and FTV’s relationship comes following the successful implementation of FTV’s HD Asian feed by providing playout and uplinking of FTV’s content to the AsiaSat-5 satellite located at 100.5 degrees East to reach out to Asia's Pay TV platforms across the continent including India, China and Indonesia in July 2013.
SatLink will be providing FTV with full HD and SD Playout services from its center in Tel Aviv, Israel. For FTV’s HD feed to America, SatLink will be providing space and uplinking to IS805 C-band platform, which is located at 55.5 degrees West and covers both North and South America. The IS805 satellite will enable FTV to extend its reach into the American market and is widely used for contribution to the Pay TV market, including DTH, cable and IPTV services. SatLink will be providing a second Asian feed to FTV with SD playout and uplinking to the Asiasat3S satellite at 105.5 degrees East.
Across Europe, FTV will be using SatLink’s new Hotbird DVB-S2 platform to support the contribution of HD channels to the European cable, satellite and Pay TV platforms. The new DVB-S2 platform offers powerful wide beam coverage to Europe enabling a cost-effective solution for video contribution to the region and providing the highest audience penetration across Europe.
SatLink will also be provided FTV with content delivery to the Israeli local Pay-TV’s YES and HOT via a Fiber link. All services will be encrypted via a Viaccess system and SatLink is providing full technical support to FTV customers to ensure a smooth transition of the services.
Working together to provide FTV’s viewers with the latest interactive solutions to cater for their dynamic viewing habits, SatLink is also developing customized services for the seamless operations of FTV’s 4k broadcasting services and OTT and VOD solutions.
“As visionaries in the broadcasting market, I am constantly looking for new ways to extend our audience reach through innovative and reliable solutions. As our audience continues to grow and demand higher quality content across different platforms we needed to find a technical partner that was not only able to meet our requirements but work alongside us to develop creative new solutions to help us engage with our viewers” said Michel Adam, President and Founder of FTV. “We selected SatLink as our global partner because, following our highly successful engagement with them on the playout of our HD content on AsiaSat5 last year, we knew them to be reliable and offer a high quality service. We knew we had to change our satellite distribution partner and SatLink is the perfect match for FTV as we share the same creative ethos and strive to further enhance the viewing experience for audiences across the globe. Fashiontv was also motivated to consolidate its operations with SatLink, as we both share the vision to develop 4K broadcasting. Since January 2014, Fashiontv has switched all its productions to 4K, and is launching its VOD and Linear 4K channels by May to coincide with the Cannes Film Festival.”
David Hochner, CEO of SatLink Communications, said: “This is an exciting partnership and we are honored that Fashion TV have chosen us as their global distribution partner. Having worked together since last year we know that we are able to successfully co-operate with one another to deliver a robust and reliable service that meets FTV’s requirements. As FTV’s audience continues to grow and they develop more innovative services for their viewers, SatLink will be alongside them to support this growth and ensure that we provide the advanced technical solutions that are required to make their vision a reality.”