TRANSPONDER MONITOR

Interspace’s in-depth study of European satellite activity

Compiled by Mike Fallon

D – Digital
A – Analogue

78.5 degreesE:
Thaicom 2&3
D: Despite announcing that it would be using Intelsat 704 capacity Channel Nepal has appeared here, on 3555MHz vertical, VPID 514, APID 642 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

75 degreesE:
LMI 1
D: A small multiplex containing occasional feed traffic from Ukraine is using 12602MHz vertical, SR 5748, FEC 3/4 in clear MPEG-2 via the European beam. One stream is identified in the EPG as ‘TADIRAN SCOPUS’, one other as ‘TS’, two more are unnamed.

68.5 degreesE:
PAS-4 & 7
D: PAS-10 has been moved into its final slot here after a period of testing at 72 degrees East. The switchover of services from PAS-4 to the new craft is expected to commence at any time. The Japanese Joho Network from NHK has launched a new multiplex at 3730MHz horizontal, SR 26470, FEC 3/4 containing NHK World TV, NHK World Premium TV, Channel J and Radio Japan. Another new multiplex is occupying 12722MHz vertical with SABC 1, SABC 2, SABC 3, Info, E-TV and RSG via PAS-4’s South African beam. B4U Entertainment, B4U Music and BBC World have all vacated 3744MHz horizontal. Some feed material for Bahrain TV was fed over 11515MHz vertical, SR 5632, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256, ID: ‘9MHz, PAL, 1 Audio’ at 15:20 on July 6.

A: MTV India has launched on 4034MHz horizontal in clear Pal with audio via the 6.80/7.56/7.74MHz subcarriers in clear Pal. Programme output is in parallel with the music channel’s original outlet at 4182MHz horizontal. Sima-Yeh Azadi (Iran National TV) has left 11464MHz where it had been available in clear Pal. On July 6 at 15:30 live coverage of a tennis championship was carried on 12604MHz in clear NTSC with audio at 6.80MHz for NHK Tokyo. BBC World India has launched on 4182MHz vertical in clear Pal (Middle East beam) with audio via the 6.60MHz subcarrier. It is accompanied by BBC World Service radio on 7.20MHz

48 degreesE:
Eutelsat II F1
D: A fair amount of activity recently from Eutelsat’s most easterly craft has turned this position into a hotbed of Italian independent broadcasters. Magic TV returned to 11598MHz horizontal, SR 2897, FEC 1/2, VPID 3601, APID 3604 in clear MPEG-2 for a short while last week but has since left again. Tele Padania is new on 11185MHz horizontal, SR 3254, FEC 2/3, VPID 33, APID 34 in clear MPEG-2. Euro Mediterraneo has launched via an SCPC carrier at 11608MHz, SR 2500, FEC 2/3, VPID 3105, APID 3106. Radio Smile has started on 11590MHz horizontal via APID 3107. TeleCampione has left 11174MHz horizontal for 11615MHz horizontal, SR 2500, FEC 2/3, VPID 3105, APID 3106. TeleGenova Sat on 11179MHz horizontal, SR 3254, FEC 2/3, VPID 33, APID 36 has been replaced by Odeon.

42 degreesE:
Turksat 1C & Eurasiasat 1
D: A new package containing The Money Channel – VPID 3201, APID 3202, ProSieben Switzerland – VPID 3600, APID 3601, Nickelodeon UK – VPID 2001, APID 2002 and 26 Music Choice audio channels has opened on 12722MHz vertical, SR 19996, FEC 5/6. However it is very intermittent at present and is off the air for long periods. A live feed from a bazaar in a Turkish city was carried on 12630MHz horizontal, SR 3054, FEC 3/4, VPID 4194, APID 4195 in clear MPEG-2. The package on 12677MHz horizontal containing Eyilik TV as well as Capital Gold, Prime Time, Virgin Radio, The Storm and Heart 106.2 FM has changed parameters. They are now SR 7898, FEC 5/6. A late arrival here was the ‘Turkce Slow’ tests on VPID 4741, APID 4740. Turkce Slow was previously available on 12689MHz vertical, SR 29971, FEC 7/8. Two new data streams have opened within the StarDigital package on 12688MHz vertical, SR 29970, FEC 7/8 entitled ‘Üygulama’ and ‘Oyun Dunyasi’. A testcard overlaid with ‘Lig TV’ is occupying 12537MHz horizontal, SR 6500, FEC 3/4, VPID 288, APID 272 in clear MPEG- 2.

36 degreesE:
Eutelsat W4 & Sesat
D: BK063 Sat from Belgrade has returned to 12710MHz vertical, SR 3002, FEC 2/3, VPID 4194, APID 4195 in clear MPEG-2.

32.5 degreesE:
Astra 2C
A: D: n Some peak to black carriers have been noted on several frequencies here recently as in orbit tests are carried out prior to repositioning. Carriers were noted on 10818MHz, 12051MHz and 12129MHz vertical as well as 10715MHz and 11836MHz horizontal.

28.5 degreesE:
Eurobird
D: The Extreme Sports Channel UK on 11681MHz vertical has switched from free-to-air MPEG-2 to VideoGuard encryption. At 11508MHz horizontal a Premiership Plus test card has appeared in VideoGuard encoded MPEG-2 via PIDs V2322, A2319.

28.2 degreesE:
Astra 2A, 2B & 2D
D: At 11856MHz vertical Sky Sports.com TV has returned to the Sky Sports News brand. A new channel dedicated to all matters football is to join the Sky Digital line-up in October. The Footballers Football Channel will be a premium subscription channel. An Energis promo has launched on 12285MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, VPID 2321, APID 2322 in clear MPEG-2. Sky News on 12070MHz horizontal has been replaced by Sky Sports Extra on PIDs V2314, A2315. Once again Sky Box Office Channels 36, 37, 38 & 39 are free-to-air on 10921MHz horizontal.

26 degreesE:
Arabsat 2A & 3A
D: Arabic Classics FM has been replaced by the Saudi General Arabic Service at 12034MHz horizontal via APID 4322. Two new radio services from Bahrain have appeared at 11766MHz horizontal. They are the General Programme (APID 3621) and Bahrain FM (APID 3622). Both are free-to-air. Morico TV Shopping has left 12034MHz horizontal and has been replaced by a testcard. New to satellite Aden Radio in Yemen has launched on 11766MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, APID 3522 in clear MPEG-2. MTV Lebanon has left 11747MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 2760, APID 2720 and has relocated to 12015MHz vertical, VPID 2560, APID 2520. MTV’s former frequency is now occupied by the Jordan Satellite Channel with Radio Jordan also in evidence via APID 2721. These two channels have now left 12034MHz horizontal. Canal Algerie on 11766MHz horizontal has been replaced by Algerie 3 TV via PIDs V3160, A3120. Canal Algerie is the international outlet of Algerian Television whereas Algerie 3 is one of the domestic terrestrial networks. The Orbit promo channel has moved to 12015MHz vertical from 11747MHz vertical, VPID 2560, APID 2520.

A: Radio Omdurman Holy Qur’an service from Sudan has started on the 7.80MHz subcarrier at 3905MHz LHCP in clear Pal. Kuwait’s Holy Qur’an service has taken over from Arabic Classics FM at 11860MHz vertical via the 7.40MHz audio subcarrier. Canal Algerie on 11897MHz vertical has been replaced by Algerie 3 in clear Pal.

23.5 degreesE:
Kopernikus DFS1
D:There has been some changes to the cable headend regional relays of Sat 1 here. The current line-up is; 12606MHz horizontal – Sat 1 North Rhein-Westphalia, 12615MHz horizontal – Sat 1 Rheinland-Pfalz, 12623MHz horizontal – Sat 1 Bavaria, 12632MHz horizontal – Sat 1 Lower Saxony and 12641MHz horizontal – Sat 1 Schleswig-Holstein/Hamburg.

21.5 degreesE:
Eutelsat II-F3
D: Pink Plus and Radio Pink are still jumping in and out of encryption on 10961MHz vertical.

19.2 degreesE:
Astra 1A-C & E-H
D: Kick 1 has left 12070MHz horizontal and has been replaced by Superdom Info in Betacrypt encoded MPEG-2. Beate-Uhse TV has officially launched on 11758MHz horizontal, VPID 3839, APID 3840 in Betacrypt encoded MPEG-2. The channel airs from 19:00-06:00 nightly. A new IP service entitled Kokua has launched on 10863MHz horizontal, SR 22000, FEC 5/6. Liberty TV Germany is new on 12610MHz vertical, SR 22000, FEC 5/6, VPID 941, APID 943 in clear MPEG-2. The free-to-air signal from Radio Italia has returned to 12610MHz vertical, APID 98. The French terrestrial radio station Contact FM has returned to 12207MHz vertical, APID 245. Radio Italia has been switched of at 12610MHz vertical.

A: Viewing choice for the remaining UK analogue homes has been further diminished. Cartoon Network UK and TCM UK have both left 11023MHz horizontal. Sky MovieMax has vacated 11436MHz vertical and Sky News has left 11377MHz vertical. Sky Sports 1 has been replaced by Sky Sports 2 at 11509MHz vertical, the second sports channel leaving 11171MHz. QVC UK has left 11038MHz vertical and Sky Sports 3, Bloomberg News Radio, Private Blue and Voice of the Balkans have all fled 11671MHz horizontal. Up at 11597MHz vertical Disney Channel UK has vacated the transponder. German regional radio station WDR4 has launched on 11568MHz vertical on the back of Bloomberg TV UK via the 7.38MHz and 7.56MHz subcarriers. The Balkan service from Voice of America has left the 7.38MHz audio subcarrier at 11656MHz vertical. Munich based internet radio station RadioAktiv FM is to launch a satellite DTH service on the back of Kabel 1 at 11332MHz horizontal via the 7.38/7.56MHz sub-carriers in the near future. The station also plans to start an ADR service on 10964MHz horizontal.

16 degreesE:
Eutelsat W2
D: Liguria Sat is new on 12702MHz vertical, SR 2170, FEC 3/4, VPID 4194, APID 4195 in clear MPEG-2. TeleGenova Sat has left this frequency. TMF9 Vlaanderen on 11042MHz horizontal, SR 4339, FEC 3/4 has changed PIDs to V33, A36. The live relay from the Dutch amateur television repeater, PI6ALK, has returned to 12729MHz horizontal, SR 2000, FEC 3/4, VPID 4130, APID 4131 in clear MPEG-2. On July 14 and 15 live coverage of the qualifying practice and of the race itself from the British F1 Grand Prix at Silverstone was fed over two streams at 12540MHz horizontal, SR 11259, FEC 3/4 and 12560MHz horizontal, SR 11262, FEC 3/4 for RTL in clear MPEG-2.

13 degreesE:
Eutelsat Hotbird 1/2/3/4/5
D: The privately owned Serbian channel BK 063 Sat has returned to 12220MHz horizontal, VPID 3105, APID 3106 in clear MPEG-2 after a short break. Radio France International has launched a free-to-air service on 10911MHz vertical, APID 937 within the Television Par Satellite package. The General Arabic Service of Saudi Arabian radio has replaced Arabic Classics FM at 12654MHz horizontal, APID 1421. On the same frequency Sharjah FM has launched via APID 1122 in clear MPEG-2. After a short-lived absence Voice of Russian Jewry has returned to 12597MHz vertical, APID 2128. Slovenski Turisticni Radio has been renamed Radio Slovenia International on 12303MHz vertical. Asianet TV has vacated 12565MHz horizontal. The feed here was relatively low power and was used to supply cable headends. Asianet previously occupied a slot on Telstar 11 at 37.5 degrees West. A promo channel for Marchio Italiano has replaced Italia Sat at 12092MHz horizontal in clear MPEG-2. TeleGenova Sat has left 12520MHz vertical, VPID 407, APID 408. Liguria Sat has taken over the stream in clear MPEG-2. Hardcore porn channel Satisfaction TV is using twin encryption systems, Irdeto and Viaccess, through the Simulcrypt protocol on 12092MHz horizontal. Its sister channel RCT on the same frequency has been having spells in the clear of late. TTN – Tamil TV Network is currently free-to-air on 12245MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. The Croatian channel HRT1 is now encoded for most of the time with just one or two clear slots on 12520MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. Best van Nederland TV (BVN) has left 12520MHz vertical. The channel continues to air on 12303MHz vertical. DCTV has left 12265MHz vertical but continues on 12236MHz vertical. K-TV Hellas has vacated 11823MHz horizontal. CNNI Europe is once more available on 10930MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 515, APID 680. Poland’s Dwa Swiaty has left 11331MHz horizontal. In the OTE package for Greece on 12188MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, Antena Radio 97.1 is currently free-to-air on APID 745. Radio Top has left 12476MHz horizontal. There is a new multiplex on 12565MHz horizontal, SR 6142, FEC 3/4 consisting of Arirang TV (currently showing a testcard), ATN Bangla and BK063 Sat.

A: TV Nova from Poland on 11148MHz horizontal in clear Pal has switched from Superbeam to Widebeam. TV5 Europe has opened on 11404MHz vertical in Pal in parallel to 11318MHz vertical. There are four radio stations in the audio baseband on the new frequency, France Info – 7.20MHz, France Inter – 7.38MHz, Radio Maria Tedesca – 7.56MHz and Radio Monte Carlo Middle East – 7.74MHz.

7 degreesE:
Eutelsat W3
D: Euronews has returned to 11387MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 2221, APIDs 2231-2237 in clear MPEG-2 after a short break.

5 degreesE:
Sirius 2/3
D: Sima-Yeh Azadi (Iran National TV) has left 12453MHz horizontal and has been replaced by a testcard. Having left Hotbird at 13 degrees East Asianet has joined the stations feeding the UK cable market from here on 12303MHz horizontal, VPID 1260, APID 1220 on clear MPEG-2 via the European beam. ICTV has launched on 12633MHz vertical, SR 3618, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34. The racing feed for William Hill Bookmakers on 12334MHz horizontal, SR 10368, FEC 3/4, VPID 2160, APID 2520 is now encoded thus making all of the racing feeds here encrypted. At 12380MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 the two TV6 Moscow streams entitled TV6 ConNova and TV6 Viasat have been switched off.

0.8 degrees/1 degreesW:
Thor 1, 2 & 3 & Intelsat 707
D: At C-band in the Egyptian bouquet on 4180MHz LHCP, there are new PIDs for Nile TV International – V4134, A4135 and for Nile Drama – V4130, A4131. P4 – Radio Hele Norge, one of Norway’s domestic radio channels, has opened on 11247MHz vertical via APID 672 in free-to-air MPEG-2. There are two new IP streams active on 11014MHz horizontal, SR 26000, FEC 3/4 named ‘IP STREAMING’ and ‘SkyCast 1’. Four channels are currently free-to-air in the multiplex on 11174MHz horizontal, SR 22500, FEC 2/3. They are CCTV 4, CCTV 9, B4U Music Middle East and Doodarshan World TV.

7 degreesW:
Nilesat 101 & 102
D: Al-Andalus TV has become very intermittent on 11823MHz vertical and 12014MHz vertical. The channel is sometimes off air on both frequencies. The Al-Mehwer promo has left 11823MHz vertical. The Egyptian educational channel Horus Vision on 11747MHz vertical has changed its name to the Horus Satellite Channel. Misr Tourist Channel and Al-Tanweer Cultural Channel have commenced regular programming on 11843MHz horizontal, VPIDs 1012/2010, APIDs 1013/2011 in free-to-air MPEG-2. The Palestinian Satellite Channel accompanied by Voice of Palestine radio has undergone a PID change. They are now V1007, A1011/1012. BET International has left 11881MHz horizontal for 11900MHz vertical in clear MPEG-2, VPID 1004, APID 1005. Space Toon has commenced regular programming on 11881MHz horizontal, VPID 1003, APID 1004 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

8 degreesW:
Telecom 2A/D
D: Digitaly has vacated 12699MHz vertical and VTV4 from Vietnam has left 11556MHz horizontal. A live report on the Tour de France for the French channel FR3 was carried on 11613MHz vertical, SR 6111, FEC 3/4, VPID 512, APID 4112, ID: ‘FTR/6111 PAL’ on July 12 at 18:35 in clear MPEG-2. At the same time 11630MHz vertical, SR 6110, FEC 3/4, VPID 512, APID 4112, ID: ‘SRG FLAVIA was relaying a report from a Swiss music festival in free-to-air MPEG-2. At 18:45 on the July 12 a feed for France 2 was observed on 11570MHz vertical, SR 5632, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256, ID: ‘TES36 SNG UKI 325’ in free-to-air MPEG-2.

A: Canal+ France seems to have left 12648MHz from where it had been available in Secam for some considerable time.

11 degreesW:
Express 3A
D: Radio Beograd 1 in the RTS Sat package on 11659MHz, SR 2892, FEC 3/4 has changed PID to A4195.

15 degreesW:
Telstar 12
D: Pars TV is new on 12520MHz vertical, VPID 2160, APID 2120 in clear MPEG-2 via Telstar 12’s European beam. NITV – National Iranian TV has launched at 12601MHz horizontal, SR 3750, FEC 2/3, VPID 4194, APID 4195 via the African beam. Still with Iran, the American Farsi Network has vacated 12508MHz vertical. A new channel, Jonbesh TV, is testing on this transponder via PIDs V1260, A1220 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

27.5 degreesW:
Intelsat 605
D:Nigeria’s Minaj Broadcasting International (MBI) has been using 11154MHz horizontal, SR 3630, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34, ID: ‘Service 1’ for an occasional feed of their output in parallel with the channel’s Sky Digital outlet.

30 degreesW:
Hispasat 1A/B/C
D: 12592MHz horizontal, SR 4500, FEC 3/4 is being used for occasional Globecast Espana feed traffic. Playboy TV Espana on 11932MHz horizontal is broadcasting a mix of soft and hardcore programming in the clear 24 hours a day

37.5 degreesW:
Telstar 11 & Columbia 515
D: Intermittent relays of the domestic US version of CNN can be found via a SCPC carrier at 11459MHz horizontal, SR 2413, FEC 3/4 in clear MPEG-2/NTSC

43 degreesW:
PAS 3R & PAS 6
D: There have been some minor changes to the line-up in the Mexican bouquet on 12584MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. Eco has been replaced by De Pecula on VPID 4112, A4113 and Visat, which is relaying a Visat promo, has taken over from Connexion Financera on VPID 4160, A4180. All of the channels in this multiplex are encoded in Viaccess.

All times in UTC unless otherwise stated.
E-mail: [email protected]
SR – Symbol Rate
FEC – Forward Error Correction
VPID – Video Programme Identifier
APID – Audio Programme Identifier