Interspace’s in-depth study of European satellite activity, compiled by Mike Fallon

90 degreesE:
Yamal 102
D: Tumen TV from Russia and radio station Ekho Moskvy have returned to 3578 MHz LHCP, SR 4355, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APIDs 256 (left channel) and 256 (right channel) respectively.

83 degreesE:
Insat 2E & 3B
D Insat 3A is due to launch from Kourou on February 14 and will be placed in orbit at this geostationary slot. The new craft carries a payload of 18 C-Band and 6 Ku-Band transponders. The Ennade TV package based in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh in southern India on 4005 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 contains seven active streams. These are ETV Telegu – V1160, A1120; ETV Bangla – V1260, A1220; ETV Marathi – V1360, A1320; ETV Kannada – V1460, A1420; ETV Urdu – V1560, A1520, ETV Gujarati – V1660, A1620 and ETV Oriya – V1760, A1720. All of the channels here are available in free-to-air MPEG-2 via Insat’s wide beam. The footprint is centred on the Indian sub-continent and China at 40.7 dBW. The eastern limit, at 36 dBW is the Germany/France border and the western extreme is over the east coast of Australia.

A: Indian channel Vijay TV has left 3565 MHz vertical where it had been available in clear Pal.

78.5 degreesE:
Thaicom 2&3
D: Sky Bangla has returned to 3585 MHz vertical, SR 26666, FEC 3/4, VPID 515, APID 643 in clear MPEG-2. The other channels present here are Star Vijay – V512, A640; Sanskar TV – V514, A642; SNTV – V516, A644; Tara 1 Bangla – V517, A645; Tara 2 Punjabi – V518, A646; Tara 3 Marathi – V519, A647 and Tara 4 Gujarati – V520, A648. Channel Nepal on PIDs V513, A641 appears in the EPG but the stream only displays a Thaicom testcard.

76.5 degreesE:
Apstar 2R
D: Dacca based Channel I from Bangladesh has left 3821 MHz vertical, SR 3750, FEC 3/4 and has moved to Panamsat at 68.5 degrees East.

68.5 degreesE:
PAS 7 & 10
D: Channel I Bangladesh has launched on 4011 MHz horizontal, SR 3570, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 in free-to-air MPEG-2. Unfortunately the channel uses Panamsat’s Asian beam which is centred on North West China so it does not make it into the UK. In the Chinese SingTel package on 3864 MHz horizontal, SR 19996, FEC 3/4 Guangxhi TV has left PIDs V1160, A1120. Both the Jilin Satellite Channel – V1260, A1220 and Hei Long Jiang TV – V1360, A1320 have started regular programming in clear MPEG-2.

57 degreesE:
NSS 703
A: There is now just one analogue channel which can be received in western Europe from NSS 703. That is RTNC from the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa on 3801 MHz RHCP. Muslim TV Ahmadiyya used to broadcast in clear Pal on 4175 MHz LHCP but has now left that frequency.

48 degreesE:
Eutelsat II F1 & Europe*Star B
D: The Italian radio package which can be found on 12245 MHz horizontal via Hotbird at 13 degrees East is also present here at 11193 MHz horizontal, SR 1628, FEC 2/3 in clear MPEG-2. This multiplex is used to supply the Hotbird outlet. The platform contains Radio Rinascente – A321; Radio Cooky – A322; Radio Baby – A323; Radio McDonalds – A324; Radio Day Classic – A325; Radio Checchetto – A326; EuroMedia Promo – A327 and 80’s Radio via three streams – A328/329/330. At 11189 MHz horizontal RTL 102.5 Classic has been replaced by RTL 102.5 via APID 4197.IP service Sat4Links has opened on 12550 MHz vertical, SR 29830, FEC 3/4.

45 degreesE:
Europe*Star 1
D: The Maharishi Open University has launched a service for India on 11550 MHz vertical, SR 13244, FEC 1/2, VPID 768, APID 769 via Europe*Star’s Indian beam. The Maharishi organisation hopes to add several more channels to the multiplex in the future.

42 degreesE:
Turksat 1C & Eurasiasat 1
D: Curiously the Welsh language channel S4C2 has launched here on 12689 MHz horizontal, SR 30000, FEC 3/4 in Videoguard encoded MPEG-2. Surely this has to be an uplink error as I can’t imagine that there are too many Welsh speakers in downtown Istanbul! Burc FM and Marmara FM are stream sharing on 11154 MHz vertical, SR 4558, FEC 3/4, APID 36. Kral TV has left the stream share with TeleOn on 12652 MHz horizontal.

A: TV8 is a new-to-satellite Turkish channel which has just launched on 11836 MHz vertical in clear Pal with audio via the 6.65 MHz sub-carrier. On the back of TRT 2 at 11084 MHz horizontal there are three new radio stations. These are TRT Gap Diyarbakir Radyosu – 7.02 MHz, TRT Radyo 1 – 8.10 MHz and TRT Radyo 4 – 8.28 MHz. Kral TV, which had been transponder sharing with TeleOn at 11727 MHz vertical, has now left this frequency allowing TeleOn to broadcast 24 hours a day.

28.5 degreesE:
Eurobird
D: Olisat TV has been replaced by CubaVision Internacional on 12560 MHz vertical, SR 2170, FEC 3/4, VPID 4194, APID 4195 in free-to-air MPEG-2 (see also Hotbird at 13 degrees East). There is a new GayTV testcard in evidence on 12645 MHz horizontal, SR 2895, FEC 3/4, VPID 4194, APID 4195 in clear MPEG-2 heralding the imminent launch of this new channel. TV3 Praha seems to have resolved it’s financial difficulties and has returned to the CzechLink multiplex at 12607 MHz horizontal, VPID 164, APID 96 in free-to-air MPEG-2. A new IP service entitled Sat-Speed has launched on 12525 MHz horizontal, SR 12650, FEC 2/3. Fox News Channel has left 11508 MHz horizontal.

28.2 degreesE:
Astra 2A, 2B & 2D
D: In a major reorganisation of the Simply Shopping channels, Simply Shopping+1 and Simply Jewellery+1 have been replaced by Simply Health and Simply Holidays on 12422 MHz horizontal. Q24, another home shopping channel, has launched on Sky Channel 654. In the EPG it is identified as ‘Telsell’. UK Soccer clubs are rushing to put their radio stations onto satellite. The newest one is Rampage from Derby County which launched on Ch.906 on January 12. TeamTalk Radio is new on 12344 MHz horizontal, APID 2342 in clear MPEG-2. BBC Radio Five Live has started on 12441 MHz vertical via APID 2308. Christmas Holiday Music has vacated 12188 MHz for another year.

26 degreesE:
Arabsat 2A & 3A
D: Qatar Radio from Doha has joined the line-up on 12661 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 via APID 2521 in clear MPEG-2. In the Orbit package on 11958 MHz horizontal Radio One has been replaced by Smooth Jazz on APID 295. Kuwait TV3 and Kuwait TV4 are still stream sharing on 12540 MHz vertical, SR 4340, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256. TV3 airs from 09:00- 21:00 with TV4 filling the remaining time. Al-Mehwer TV and Nile News have launched on 12620 MHz vertical sharing with Nile TV International on VPID 2260, APID 2220. Apparently Beirut based Al-Manar TV, the official mouthpiece of Hezbollah, is under intense pressure from the West, and the US in particular, to cease broadcasts in a bid to reduce propaganda likely to incite hostilities and terrorist activity. Al-Manar TV can be found here at 11785 MHz vertical and via Nilesat at 7 degrees West on 12130 MHz vertical. The Arab Channel, a new venture designed to ‘introduce the Islamic civilisation to the world’ will launch in July and will use Arabsat capacity. The new channel will have its headquarters in Tunis.

A: Al-Mehwer TV and Nile News have launched on 3802 MHz RHCP in clear Pal with audio via the 6.60 MHz sub-carrier in a three way transponder share with Nile TV International.

19.2 degreesE:
Astra 1B,C & E-H, Astra 2C
D: The Xmas audio channel in the Premiere World package on 11797 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, APID 384 has left for another year to be replaced by Easy Listening. The French language RTL9 is available twice via Astra at this orbital slot. It is present in the ABSat package on 12266 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 173, APID 128 in clear MPEG-2 and via the Canal Satellites Digital bouquet at 12012 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 in Mediaguard encoded MPEG-2. Love Radio has left the Canal+ Nederland platform on 12575 MHz horizontal, SR 22000, FEC 5/6, APID 175. Viva Plus has taken over from Viva Zwei on 12552 MHz vertical, VPID 171, APID 172 in clear MPEG-2. The Fox News Channel has joined the Canal Satelite Digital line-up for Spain on 12441 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 520, APID 5668 in free-to-air MPEG-2.

A: A promo for SES has started on 10847 MHz vertical in clear Pal with English audio via the 7.02/7.20 MHz sub-carriers. To the dismay of some die-hard analogue viewers the UK’s Channel 5 ceased Pal transmissions on January 1 at 10921 MHz horizontal. Channel 5 is now only available via Sky Digital from the 28.2 degrees East slot and terrestrially in parts of the UK. Viva Zwei has been replaced by Viva Plus on 11303 MHz horizontal.

16 degreesE:
Eutelsat W2
D: As expected the relay of the Dutch amateur television repeater PI6ALK has vacated 12742 MHz horizontal, SR 3000, FEC 5/6. So far there is no indication that the channel will return to satellite. A new Turkish multiplex for cable headend distribution has opened on 12645 MHz vertical, SR 10000, FEC 2/3 with three channels – Showtime Turkey – V257, A258; Romantica – V274, A275 and M-azing – V290, A291. All three are encoded in Irdeto. Armenia TV left 12620 MHz vertical for several days in late December but has now returned.

13 degreesE:
Hotbird 1/2/3/4/5
D: The family of Eutelsat satellites, 18 in all, have just reached an impressive milestone. There are now over 1000 TV channels available from Eutelsat craft. South Korea’s Channel Sun is enjoying some lengthy periods in the clear on 11623 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 229, APID 249 in the GlobeCast package. VTV 4 from Vietnam is broadcast in the Telespazio platform on 12110 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 200, APID 201 from 17:30 to around 01:00 daily. At other times this stream relays the HB Channel. The Christian radio station TransWorld Radio is free-to-air on 12380 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, APID 3111 in the GlobeCast package. The two Big Brother streams in the Greek NetMed bouquet on 10930 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 have been switched off. A ‘Blast from the Past’ – CubaVision Internacional from Havana has replaced Olisat TV on 11096 MHz horizontal, VPID 33, APID 39 in free-to-air MPEG-2. CubaVision was one of the early pioneers of satellite transmission when the channel was fed over one of the Russian Gorizont satellites in C-Band in the late 1980’s, probably for the benefit of the Soviet government. Napoli Network Sat has launched within the Telespazio platform on 12673 MHz vertical via PIDs V220, A221. Radio Maria has also just launched in the same bouquet on APID 412 and Vatican Radio has started on APID 429. At 10957 MHz horizontal, SR 4340, FEC 3/4 TRT International, Voice of Turkey General Overseas Service and TRT FM have all returned after a short absence. There is a GayTV testcard on 12149 MHz vertical, VPID 36. APID 37 in parallel with Eurobird at 28.5 degrees East. Italy’s Grande Fratello (Big Brother) 1-5 have left 11977 MHz horizontal in the Stream package. The domestic Polish TV channels, TVP 1, TVP 2 and TVP WOT have left 12322 MHz horizontal following a carriage dispute with PolSat.

A: On 11112 MHz vertical, the home of BBC World TV, BBC World Service Europe has been replaced by BBC World Service Persian on the 7.38 MHz audio sub-carrier.

10 degreesE:
Eutelsat W1
D: Turkey’s Mesaj TV has returned to 11104 MHz horizontal, SR 2500, FEC 7/8, VPID 308, APID 256 in clear MPEG-2 after a short break. There has been some swapping of frequencies for two Turkish radio channels. Radyo Eksen has replaced NTV Radyo on 11015 MHz horizontal, APID 257 and NTV Radyo is occupying Radyo Eksen’s old slot at 11019 MHz horizontal, APID 35.

7 degreesE:
Eutelsat W3
D: In the DigiTurk package on 11658 MHz vertical, SR 30000, FEC 3/4 Capital Radio has left the platform. On another DigiTurk multiplex at 11492 MHz vertical, SR 30000, FEC 3/4 E! Entertainment has been switched off. Video footage of the Paris-Dakar Rally from Morocco was carried on 11283 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 2521, APID 2541, ID:’OCCA W3′ on January 3 at 18:35 in free-to-air MPEG-2. This was via the occasional feed stream within the GlobeCast bouquet. A newcomer to this package is M6 Suisse on VPID 2621, APID 2641 in clear MPEG-2. A new BFBS multiplex has opened on 11325 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 1/2. It contains six TV channels, BFBS 1 – V101, A401; BFBS 2 – V102, A402; BFBS 3 – V103, A403; BFBS 4 – V104, A404; BFBS 5 – V105, A405 and BFBS 6 – V106, A406, all encoded in Cryptoworks. The audio channels, which are free-to-air, are; 12 NAVY 14 RAF – A459; 17 ATLAN 24 TWO 1 – A260; UKT – A453; GIVE ME 26 TWO 3 – A455; GBRIT 12 NIRL – A458; 19 BELZ 20 BATUS – A461; 18 FALK 16 GUR 2 – A462; 08 KOSO 15 GUR 1- A457; 03 CYPR (STEREO) – A452; 02 MEAST 05 EURO – A454 and finally 07 EVILS 25 TWO 2 – A456. These TV and radio services for British military personnel serving overseas are probably destines for Cyprus for turnaround onto other satellites for onward transmission. Haber Turk has replaced Vizyon Salon 7 at 11534 MHz vertical, VPID 2111, FEC 2213 in Cryptoworks encoded MPEG-2 in the DigiTurk multiplex.

5 degreesE:
Sirius 2/3 & Astra 1A
D: Astra 1A has now reached this slot following the move from 19.2 degrees East. The Russian channel NTV has been replaced by NTV Mir (World) on 12380 MHz horizontal, VPID 50, APID 51 in Viaccess encoded MPEG-2.Viasat Sports Danmark is a newcomer at 11823 MHz vertical, VPID 7061, APID 7062 encoded in Viaccess. ZTV Norge has launched on 11977 MHz vertical, VPID 2161, APID 2162 in Viaccess encoded MPEG-2. Reality TV is carrying out tests on 12034 MHz horizontal, VPID 3171, APID 3172 in clear MPEG-2.

A: For some strange reason ZTV Norge has decided to launch in D2 MAC on 11919 MHz horizontal as most other users of MAC are abandoning the mode.

0.8 degrees/1 degreesW:
Thor 1, 2 & 3 & Intelsat 707
D: The Studio has been replaced by Cine Cinemas within the Norwegian Telenor package on 12303 MHz vertical, SR 27800, FEC 3/4, VPID 516, APID 656 in Conax encoded MPEG-2. At 11677 MHz horizontal, SR 26000, FEC 3/4 Bio+ has left the frequency. On 12456 MHz vertical, another Telenor transponder, the Christmas audio channel has been replaced by Turk Muzigi on APID 787. There are two new radio stations on 12169 MHz horizontal, SR 28000, FEC 7/8, home to the Bulgarian package. They are Ekspress Radio – A640 and Radio TNN – A700. Both are free-to-air.

S: The D2 MAC signal from TV3 Sverige has been switched off on 11596 MHz vertical.

4 degreesW:
Amos 1
D: A new multiplex has launched on 11598 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 with MTV Europe – V512, A660; ESC 1 – V518, A666; 3 Sat – V519, A667 and Abu Dhabi TV Europe – V522, A670 via Amos’ Israeli beam.

5 degreesW:
Telecom 2C
D: BRTV is now free-to-air on 12542 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 via PIDs V123, A133. On the same frequency a new data channel entitled “MCFNOOS” has opened.

7 degreesW:
Nilesat 101 & 102
D: In parallel with Arabsat at 26 degrees East, Kuwait TV3 and Kuwait TV4 are stream sharing on 11823 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 1006, APID 1008. Nile SportsSuper testcards have appeared on both 11766 MHz horizontal, VPID 1011, APID 1211 and 11900 MHz vertical, VPID 1002, APID 1102. Since December 31 the channel has been airing some test transmissions. At 11766 MHz horizontal Egypt’s ERTU 1 & ERTU 2 have been replaced by ERTY 1 Sat and Al-Tanweer Cultural Channel on VPIDs 1001/1002, APIDs 1201/1202. MTV India has launched on 11862 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 1001, APID 1002 in the Showtime package. In the ADD bouquet on 12034 MHz horizontal a ART Khaliji caption is present via PIDs V3084, A3085.

8 degreesW:
Telecom 2D & Atlantic Bird 2
D: There is a new VisaVision multiplex on 11406 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 containing RAI Uno, RAI Due, RAI Tre and TVE 2 plus a data channel “HUMAX DOWNLOAD SVC_2”.

11 degreesW:
Express 3A
D: Napoli Network has launched on 11518 MHz vertical, SR 2036, FEC 2/3, VPID 910, APID 911 in clear MPEG-2.

15 degreesW:
Telstar 12
D: Sima-Yeh Azadi Iran National TV has launched a free-to-air service on 12588 MHz vertical, SR 4502, FEC 1/2, VPID 4160, APID 4120 via the European beam. PBC Trapesh and AFN Farsi Net have launched on 12608 MHz horizontal. Mihr TV and Mihr Radyo seem to have left 12735 MHz horizontal, SR 1400, FEC 3/4.

18 degreesW:
Intelsat 901
D: AIT from Nigeria has launched on 3684 MHz RHCP, SR 4340, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34 in free-to-air MPEG-2. AIT is using Intelsat 901’s European beam with excellent signal levels in the south of the UK.

21.3 degrees/21.5 degreesW:
NSS 803 & NSS K
D: RTNC La Voix du Peuple and Radio Congo have launched on 4055 MHz RHCP, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 128, APIDs 139/147 within the GlobeCast package. The programming is in parallel with the channel’s output on NSS 703 at 57 degrees East.

30 degreesW:
Hispasat 1A/B/C
D: TVC Internacional has been replaced by a testcard on 12015 MHz vertical.

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