Eutelsat to Provide Capacity for HD Coverage of Pope Canonization

Canonization Ceremony. Photo: Steven Scardina

[Via Satellite 04-02-2014] Eutelsat Communications’ satellites will be a core component of the broadcast infrastructure mobilized to deliver live worldwide coverage of the canonization ceremony of Popes John XXIII and Jean Paul II on April 27. The Vatican Television Center (CTV), the broadcasting arm of the Holy See, has selected capacity on nine Eutelsat satellites to offer broadcasters the opportunity to cover the event.

The High Definition (HD) broadcast by CTV will be uplinked by Globecast from St. Peter’s Square to the Eutelsat 5 West A satellite. Eutelsat will then coordinate immediate redistribution across nine satellites, with feeds transmitting from 07.00 UTC to 12.00 UTC on a Free-to-Air (FTA) basis so broadcasters can benefit from live and edited coverage.

“Satellite has always been an invaluable platform for overcoming geographic constraints and taking the Papal message across the world,” said Mons. Dario Edoardo Viganò, director of CTV. “For this event, thanks to the significant mobilization of Eutelsat’s satellites, we will deliver a truly global live broadcast using the highest quality of image, creating an historic moment in the story of communications.”