[Satellite TODAY 01-14-10] Almost 250 new European TV channels were launched in 2009, according to a research study created for the DG Communication Division of the European Commission by the European Audiovisual Observatory (EOA), released Jan. 13.
    The study, a part of the EOA’s 2009 Data Yearbook, also shows that about 220 channels ceased transmission in 2009. European satellite TV offerings in increased from 51 at the end of 2008 to 60 at the end of 2009.
    The EOA said the report indicates high levels of competition particularly in Hungary, Poland and Romania, where each country has five different satellite-TV operators.