Eurochannel Picks EUTELSAT 16A to Drive International Expansion Across Europe

PARIS, November 5, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Eurochannel, the international TV channel dedicated to European films and series, has selected the EUTELSAT 16A satellite operated by Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) to support the new phase of its pan-European expansion which kicked off on November 1. The channel has signed a five-year contract with Eutelsat for capacity and services that will enable it to deliver a number of new language versions, starting with a Serbian version now proposed to its customers by Telekom Srbija. The launch in Serbia marks the beginning of Eurochannel's expansion across Europe which it plans to pursue via EUTELSAT 16A, one of the leading television satellites for the region.

Eurochannel is a world television channel dedicated to promoting European culture and lifestyle through films and series, as well as content dedicated to European fashion events, arts and destinations. Already broadcast to 30 countries around the world, the channel is actively developing European distribution, starting with France and Portugal and now Serbia. Its ambition is to continue to set up local versions, with a view to becoming a fully-fledged pan-European broadcaster.

Eurochannel Chairman and CEO, Gustavo Vainstein commented: "When we looked at distribution across Europe the EUTELSAT 16A satellite quickly emerged as the obvious choice for its high-power coverage and established audience, in particular in Central Europe. Working with Eutelsat represents a major asset for Eurochannel because we can confidently pursue our mission to distribute European audiovisual production throughout the world, and in every language."

Apostolos Triantafyllou, Eutelsat's Regional Sales Director for Central and South-East Europe added: "We are delighted to see EUTELSAT 16A at 16° East further strengthened with this new contract. Over 370 channels, including 28 in HD, are already broadcasting across Europe from this neighbourhood of choice. We look forward to continuing to support Eurochannel's international expansion through a combination of high-power broadcast satellites and the highest quality of on-ground services via our teleport facilities."

About Eurochannel

Eurochannel is devoted to showing the best in European audiovisual production - its line-up brings exciting, 100% European content to over 11 million homes in 30 countries, and its distribution is growing fast. Eurochannel broadcasts European movies, documentaries, television series and music, in original audio with subtitles. Eurochannel has representatives throughout the world.    

For more information, please visit http://www.eurochannel.com, Facebook and Twitter.

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. With capacity commercialised on 29 satellites that provide coverage across Europe, as well as the Middle East, Africa and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators. As of 30 September 2012 Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,400 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group's satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates high speed Internet services through teleports in France and Italy that serve consumers, enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ just over 750 commercial, technical and operational professionals. This culturally diverse staff comprises employees from 30 countries. http://www.eutelsat.com

SOURCE Eurochannel & EUTELSAT