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MBC Leases Eutelsat Ku-band Capacity on Atlantic Bird 7 for HDTV Launch

By Jeffrey Hill | November 1, 2011
[Satellite TODAY 11-01-11] MBC Group signed a multi-year contract to lease Eutelsat capacity on the operator’s recently launched Atlantic Bird 7 satellite, the companies confirmed Oct. 31.
   The terms of the lease will see MBC take a full transponder on the satellite, which is located at the 7 degrees West orbital slot. MBC said it would use the Ku-band capacity to expand its platform of channels to viewers in the Middle East and North Africa. The company also said it would add HD content in preparation for a new service launch in January 2012.
   “With MBC Group’s selection of Atlantic Bird 7 as their chosen platform to move into HD TV we are even more excited about the potential of our new satellite to partner broadcasters in the Middle East and North Africa. This is a great start for Atlantic Bird 7 and we look forward to furthering our longstanding presence and strong partnerships across the region and playing our part in the ongoing roll-out of HD TV,” Eutelsat CCO Andrew Wallace said in a statement.
   Atlantic Bird 7 launched in September to replace the Atlantic Bird 4A satellite previously located at 7 degrees West. The new satellite aims to expand the operator’s footprint to satellite TV homes located from the North African Atlantic coastline across to the Gulf States.