Platforma HD, the new Russian all-HDTV platform, has selected the EUROBIRD-9 satellite operated by Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) to deliver new HD content across the western parts of Russia to the Urals. The new platform was launched in August in order to offer Platforma HD’s first subscribers the Beijing Olympics in HD with the Eurosport HD channel. Platforma HD has signed a contract with Eutelsat for a full transponder on EUROBIRD™ 9. This capacity is already broadcasting the new platform’s initial offer of four HD channels, which aggregate the international channels Eurosport HD and National Geographic HD with two leading Russian HD channels, HD Life, which is produced by the Red Media production company, and Kinopokaz HD, a DTH subscribers with 60-90 cm antennas and is also distributed to cable operators in cities in western parts of Russia. Platforma HD has selected DRE encryption for the system. Two types of decoder are already available: the HUMAX HDCI-2000 and General Satellite’s HD-9000. These boxes enable reception of channels broadcast in DVB-S2, in SD and in HD.