HDTV Platform Hello
HD Launches in Hungary From Eutelsat's EUROBIRD 9 Neighbourhood
(29 April 2008) Hello HD, Hungary's
first High-Definition television platform is gearing up for launch on May 1
from the Eurobird 9 satellite operated by Eutelsat
Communications.
Using two transponders leased on a long-term
basis on Eurobird 9, Hello HD's new television platform will feature
industry-leading HDTV services including Eurosport HD, National Geographic HD,
Filmbox HD and HBO HD, complemented by high quality Hungarian channels
broadcasting in Standard Digital.
Hello HD will be available to viewers
on a subscription basis using CONAX encryption. Subscribers will procure a
High-Definition set-top-box provided by the Swiss company Advanced Digital
Broadcast (ADB) which enables high definition and standard definition reception
based on the DVB-S2 standard and is also equipped with PVR (Personal Video
Recorder) and VOD (Video on Demand) features. In fourth quarter 2008 Hello HD
plans to launch video-on-demand and a range of value added interactive
services.
Hello HD's choice of Eurobird 9 will also enable satellite
homes in Hungary to receive digital channels broadcasting from Eutelsat's Hot
Bird video neighbourhood. Using off-the-shelf double-feed antennas, Hello HD
subscribers will be able to use the same dish to pick up content available
free-to-air at the Hot Bird position.
Commenting on the launch of Hello
HD, Andras Schmideg, Hello HD CEO, said: "Nearly five percent of Hungarian TV
households are already equipped with HD Ready television sets, and this number
is expected to rapidly grow. Our unique platform, which assembles the best
brands in HD with Standard Digital channels, responds to consumer demand for
the highest quality of content and a new television experience. We are
delighted that Hello HD can be made available to homes across Hungary thanks to
the coverage and high-power of Eutelsat's Eurobird 9 satellite."
Olivier
Millies Lacroix, Eutelsat Commercial Director responded: "The launch of Hello
HD platform further cements Eutelsat's longstanding relationship with Hungary's
broadcasting community. It also underscores the strong dynamic of digital
broadcasting markets in central Europe and demonstrates that Eurobird 9, our
newest video neighbourhood continues to attract some of the most exciting and
innovative broadcasting ventures to accompany the continuing take-up of new
channels and High-Definition Television. With Hello HD, the number of HD
channels broadcast on the Eutelsat fleet will increase up to
forty."
Hello HD is owned by the media services company Watchcable
Corporation which launched Minimax and other television channels in the CEE
region.
About Eutelsat Communications
Eutelsat Communications is
the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 24
satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as
the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas,
Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of
revenues. At 31 December 2007, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting almost
3,000 television channels and 1,100 radio stations. More than 1,100 channels
broadcast via its Hot Bird video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves
over 120 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North
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 services through teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises,
local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa,
Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries
employ 538 commercial, technical and operational experts from 27
countries.
(source: Eutelsat Communications)
