Latest News

Transponder Monitor

By Staff Writer | October 10, 2002

      A = Analogue
      D = Digital

      110.5 degreesE:
      Sinosat 1

      The recent spate of illegal jamming of Chinese TV and radio transmissions using Sinosat capacity have been traced to Taiwan according to Chinese experts. It is thought that the Falun Gong, a group opposed to the Chinese regime, is responsible. Terrestrial cable networks have also been breached.

      105.5 degreesE:
      Asiasat 3S

      D Zee TV are hoping to cash in on the lucrative Middle East market by launching Zee TV Middle East next year. The new channel, in common with all of the Zee package here, will be uplinked from Singapore. The Zee TV package on 3700 MHz, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 contains seven active streams offering Zee English – V160, A80; Zee International – V161, A84; Zee MGM – V162, A88; Zee Cinema Asia – V166, A104; Zee TV Asia – V167, A108; Nickelodeon India – V168, A112 and Zed TV – V169, A116. There is a further Zee Network multiplex at 4140 MHz vertical, SR 22000, FEC 3/4 with Zee Music – V35, A34; Zee News – V38, A39; Alpha TV Punjabi – V36, A37; Alpha TV Gujurati – V32, A33; Alpha TV Bangla – V161, A88 and Alpha TV Marathi – V163, A92. The Asian beam footprint covers the Middle East/Gulf region at signal levels of 32 dBW requiring a dish size of around 5m. However, there is a possibility that Zee Middle East could use Arabsat or Nilesat capacity which would ensure a much higher audience level.

      80 degreesE:
      Express 6A

      D TV XXI in the TV Centr package on 4125 MHz RHCP, SR 22495, FEC 3/4, VPID 163, APID 92 is encoded once again following a short period in the clear.

      68.5 degreesE:
      PAS 7 & 10

      D EuroSport News is new on 4064 MHz vertical, SR 19850, FEC 7/8 via PIDs V520, A648 in free-to-air MPEG-2. Pakistan’s newest TV channel, Geo Pakistan, has launched on 4114 MHz horizontal, SR 3300, FEC 2/3, VPID 33, APID 36 in clear MPEG-2 with programmes in Urdu.

      A As expected BBC World India and BBC World Service radio have left 4188 MHz vertical. They are still available from this orbital slot via digital signals on 3975 MHz vertical, SR 19850, FEC 3/4.

      45 degreesE:
      Europe*Star 1

      D The South African horse racing/betting channel TellyTrack RSA has changed parameters. They are now SR 3254, FEC 7/8, VPID 308, APID 256.

      42 degreesE:
      Turksat 1C & Eurasiasat 1

      D SuperSport has left the Turkish Cine+ bouquet at 11025 MHz vertical, SR 6510, FEC 5/6. There is a new StarHaber promo channel in evidence on 12652 MHz horizontal, SR 22500, FEC 5/6, VPID 1040, APID 1041. At 11858 MHz vertical, SR 2400, FEC 7/8 Radyo Sweet has changed name to Radyo Imparator.

      A Hur FM has launched on the back of Kanal D at 11026 MHz horizontal via the 8.10/8.28 MHz audio sub-carriers.

      40 degreesE:
      Express A1R

      D The Russian TV channel Kultura is now available via two streams here at 3675 MHz RHCP, SR 29760, FEC 7/8, VPIDs 513/514, APIDs 660/670 in clear MPEG-2. Space TV from Azerbaijan has launched here following a move from Express 6A at 80 degrees East. It can be found on 11660 MHz vertical, SR 3333, FEC 3/4, VPID 513, APID 256 in clear MPEG-2. Reception in the south east of the UK is fair to good.

      39 degreesE:
      Hellas Sat 1

      D Full time broadcasts from Hellas Sat 1’s 34 Ku-Band transponders are expected to start in December this year.

      36 degreesE:
      Eutelsat W4 & Sesat

      D A Czech Republic channel, TV Centrum, has launched on 12531 MHz vertical, SR 3100, FEC 7/8, VPID 128, APID 129 [left channel] in free-to-air MPEG-2. It is accompanied by Radio 94 on APID 129 [right channel]. NTV+ Boevik and NTV+Mir Kino have been superseded by NTV+ Premier and MTV+ KinoKlub on 12322 MHz RHCP, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPIDs 322/323, APIDs 404/406 in Viaccess 1 encoded MPEG-2.

      28.2 degreesE:
      Astra 2A, 2B & 2D

      D Play UK has left 11817 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, VPID 2323, APID 2325. In fact the channel has closed down as was expected. Newcomer UK History is to launch at Ch.572 on 17 October. The Casino promo channel has left 11545 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3. In the CzechLink package at 12606 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 Radio Svobodna Avrupa [Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty] has been replaced by Cesky Rozhlas 6 on APID 181 in clear MPEG-2. CNX, the new lifestyle channel for men is still on course for a 14 October launch. It will offer general entertainment programming including martial arts, music, sport, thrillers and some animations. CNX is already testing on 12051 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 2/3 and can be viewed by entering the ‘Other Channels’ menu and loading channel name ‘7103’. The channel should be available in the EPG at Ch.244 very soon. The French language channel TV5 Europe has started test transmissions on 11856 MHz vertical. Ritz Radio, a London based terrestrial radio station is the join the Sky Digital line-up on 29 October. Simply Einstein has launched on Ch.580. Shopping channel JML Direct launched on cue on 1 October and can be found at Ch.664. GOD Revival at Ch.672 has been renamed GOD 2. Abu Dhabi TV has joined the Sky EPG at Ch.824. A new erotic channel from the Red Hot stable has launched. Red Hot UK Talent is occupying Ch.990 in the EPG. Home Shopping Europe has been replaced by Shop USA at Ch.644. ART Movies, ART Music, ART Europe, LBC and Al-Jazeera TV have all switched to encryption after a run in period in the clear. To view the mini-package a subscription is payable of GBP240 [€383] per annum or GBP19.99 [€31.97] per month. Several channel disappeared temporarily on the morning of 2 October. Those affected were Setanta 1, EuroNews, TBN Europe, Nick Jr, GoBarkingMad, Extreme Sports, GOD 1 and GOD 2. It is thought that a technical fault at the uplink site caused the outage. Normal service was resumed just after 12:00. The launch date of the Soundtrack Channel has been put back to either November or December because of delays in obtaining a licence from the ITC. The initial launch date was 1 October. The ITN News Channel on 12032 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 2/3, has undergone a name change to become ITV News Channel. B4U Music on 12032 MHz horizontal appears to be relaying the Middle East version of late. Instead of local UK ads the channel is airing commercials for Saudi Arabia and the UAE instead.

      26 degreesE:
      Arabsat 2A & 3A

      D Kuwait’s KTV 1 has left 12533 MHz vertical, SR 3000, FEC 3/4 where it had been free-to-air. Sahar Universal Network has left 12735 MHz vertical to be replaced by an Al-Alam News Network promo channel. This is for the forthcoming Iranian all-news channel which will broadcast in the Arabic language. There is a new ‘Salmiya’ free-to-air testcard on 12535 MHz vertical, SR 3000, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256. Kuwaiti radio station Modern Arabic Music 103.7 FM has launched on 12533 MHz vertical, APID 256.

      19.2 degreesE:
      Astra 1B,C & E-H, Astra 2C

      D Astra 1K, the replacement for Astra 1B and 1C, is slated for a 26 November launch. It carries 46 Ku-Band transponders plus Ka-Band capability. Most of the occupants of the CanalSatellite France multiplex on 11895 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 have changed their PIDs. The current parameters are; KTO – V163, A92; Gourmet TV – V170, A22; National Geographic Channel – V169, A121; TiJi – V168, A123; Allocine Info – V167, A108; Match TV – V165, A100; MCM 2 – V164, A96; MCM – V161, A84 and Cinema Auteur – V166, A104. All of these are encoded with the exception of KTO. There is a new France 5 promo channel on 12522 MHz vertical, SR 22000, FEC 5/6, VPID 169, APID 116. Discovery Channel Czech has vacated 11992 MHz horizontal. In the UPC Direct cable package on 11992 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 Galaxie Sport has launched in Cryptoworks encoded MPEG-2 via PIDs V166, A104. In another UPC package at 11876 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 Bahn TV is a new arrival via PIDs V201, A301. Polish channel Bibel TV commenced regular programming on 10832 MHz horizontal, VPID 32, APID 33.

      A Mega Radio has launched on the back of Tele 5 at 11553 MHz horizontal via the 7.38/7.56 MHz audio sub-carriers in clear PAL. Mega Radio is Germany’s only nationwide radio station catering for young people. Arte Deutsch is new on 10994 MHz horizontal with audio via the 7.02/7.20/7.38/7.56 sub-carriers.

      16 degreesE:
      Eutelsat W2

      D Armenia TV left 12620 MHz vertical, SR 2315, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34 for a couple of days last week but has now returned. RTV 21 Sat and Radio 21 have relocated to 11061 MHz horizontal from their previous slot at 11049 MHz horizontal. Television X – The Fantasy Channel has vacated 11178 MHz vertical.

      13 degreesE:
      Hotbird 1/2/3/4/5/6

      D Hotbird 5 has now been replaced by Hotbird 6. Some transponders have been switched over to the new satellite. A new BT multiplex has opened on 11137 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 with six active streams. These contain Motors TV [via two encoded streams] – VPIDs 521/3523, APIDs 641/3643; TV5-FBS – V3521, A3641; TV5 Europe – V3522, A3642; Khalifa TV – V3523, A3643 and No Zap – V3524, A3644. The new Deutsche Welle TV service for Afghanistan can be found on 11142 MHz vertical, SR 5500, FEC 7/8, VPID 111, APID 112 in free-to-air MPEG-2. Although the German language service is relayed here for most of the time there are some short periods in the Dari and Pashtu languages. Four new data streams have joined the line-up in the Eutelsat package on 12540 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. They appear in the EPG as; ‘Datenkanale’, ‘Skygate’, ‘Teledidattica’ and ‘Skygate E-Tera’. The PIDs for Syria TV, Sat-7, Bangla TV and Trans World Radio in the GlobeCast Digital package at 12380 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 have been changed to V3022/3023/3023/3028, APIDs 3032/3033/3038/3530. TCM Central Europe has joined the GlobeCast line-up on 11623 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 3401, APID 3411 in Cryptoworks encoded MPEG-2. Russian channel Sirasa TV is testing within the NTV+ multiplex on 11938 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4 via PIDs V308, A256. Russia is to launch a dedicated all-news channel next year [surprisingly one does not exist yet]. The new, as yet unnamed, channel will join the NTV+ line-up in addition to terrestrial transmission via MMDS in major Russian cities. CNN International has left the GlobeCast Digital multiplex at 12597 MHz vertical, VPID 167, APID 108. Sat-7, which started as the first Arabic language Christian TV channel, has launched a new Farsi language service for Iran and surrounding areas. Although a satellite dish ban still exists in Iran it is estimated that up to 20 million Iranians have access to satellite TV. The Farsi programmes, which are carried on the Sat-7 stream at 12380 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, are broadcast over the Iranian weekend [Thursday and Friday] at 09:00 and repeated at 16:30 under the title Iranian Christian Broadcasting [ICB]. NTV International and RTV have opened on 11938 MHz horizontal, VPIDs 164/165, APIDs 88/96 in Viaccess 1 encoded MPEG-2.

      A The Polish channel TVN Siedem has been replaced by TV Nova in clear PAL on 11492 MHz vertical with audio via the 6.60/7.02 MHz sub-carriers.

      5.2 degreesE:
      Sirius 2/3 & Astra 1A

      D Russia’s NTV Mir [World] is currently free-to-air on 12380 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. TEMTV, who currently rebroadcast Russia’s Ostankino TV in the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania and use Sirius space segment to relay the channel to cable headends and terrestrial transmitter sites, are to launch a channel of their own next year. Baltic First Channel will air some Ostankino programmes in addition to home grown output.

      0.8 degrees/1 degreesW:
      Thor 1, 2 & 3 & Intelsat 707

      D Nelonen Plus has been added to the Telenor line-up on 12054 MHz horizontal, SR 28000, FEC 7/8 via PIDs V517, A660 in Conax encoded MPEG-2.

      Intelsat 10-2 is the name of the new satellite to replace Intelsat 707 in late 2003. It will be launched by a Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. 10-2 will carry a payload of 36 C-Band and 20 Ku-Band transponders. Intelsat 707 was launched on 14 March, 1996.

      5 degreesW:
      Telecom 2C & Atlantic Bird 3

      D Radio Dimensione Suono from Italy has started on 12543 MHz horizontal via APID 536.

      7 degreesW:
      Nilesat 101 & 102

      D Egypt’s Blue Nile Channel has started regular programming on 11804 MHz horizontal, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 3081, APID 3084. The new channel airs from 15:00-20:00 daily. Al- Mustaqillah TV has been replaced by a testcard on 11747 MHz vertical. Dubai Channel 33 is the new English language channel located at 11785 MHz vertical, SR 27500, DEC 3/4, VPID 1005, APID 1006 in free-to-air MPEG-2. It replaces the Qanaty Kids Channel which had been occupying the stream. Channel 33 can also be seen via an SCPC carrier at 12053 MHz vertical, SR 6110, FEC 3/4, VPID 33, APID 34 in clear MPEG-2. The promo channel has moved to 11900 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 1301, APID 1302. Jamahiriyah Satellite Channel from Libya has moved down in frequency from 11900 MHz vertical to 11823 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 1012, APID 1021. A new data stream entitled MENASat has launched on 12149 MHz horizontal. This is the Cairo based Middle East News Agency which for many years was available on shortwave with regular radio teletype transmissions. TV5 Europe replaced TV5 Orient on 11900 MHz vertical last week via PIDs V1000, A1200.

      8 degreesW:
      Telecom 2D & Atlantic Bird 2

      D The multiplex for Iran on 11074 MHz horizontal has moved to 11140 MHz horizontal, SR 28195, FEC 1/2. The Iranian channel Jaam-e-Jam International has opened here via VPID 3160, APID 3120 under the ID ‘Pars TV’ in clear MPEG-2. The existing channels are; Tapesh TV – V3260, A3220; Channel One – V3360, A3320 and Iran TV Network – V3460, A3420. MBC Europe and MBC FM have opened on 12622 MHz horizontal, SR 3000, FEC 3/4via PIDs V308, A256/257.

      12.5 degreesW:
      Eutelsat II-F4 & Atlantic Bird 1

      D The three GlobeCast New York channels, Channels 1, 2 & 3, which used to use NSS capacity at 21.5 degrees West have migrated here. They are occupying 11013 MHz horizontal, SR 20150, FEC 3/4, VPIDs 1160/1260/1360, APIDs 1120/1220/1320 in free-to-air MPEG-2 NTSC. Another evacuee from the 21.5 degrees West slot is GlobeCast NE Ch.1 which can now be found here on 12740 MHz horizontal, SR 5698, FEC 3/4, VPID 1160, APID 1120 with occasional transatlantic feed traffic.

      13 degreesW:
      Sirius W

      D Several digital carriers were noted here in late September. The mode was not MPEG-2 but may have been MPEG-4 which is the preferred mode for enhanced interactivity. Signals were noted on 11857 MHz RHCP, SR 10180, FEC 3/4; 11872 MHz RHCP, SR 11168, FEC 3/4; 11940 MHz RHCP, SR 13090, FEC 3/4; 12015 MHz RHCP, SR 14452, FEC 3/4; 12030 MHz RHCP, SR 12910, FEC 3/4 and finally 12090 MHz RHCP, SR 18805, FEC 3/4.

      15 degreesW:
      Telstar 12

      D BTV and Rok Radio Tangra are new at 11014 MHz vertical, SR 4480, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APIDs 257/81.

      21.5 degreesW:
      NSS 7

      D CRTV (Cameroon Radio Television) has left 4055 MHz RHCP, SR 27500, FEC 7/8. The EBU has signed an agreement with New Skies Satellites which will allow them to lease satellite capacity on NSS 7 for eastbound feed traffic via the NSS Mediaport in Washington DC. Radiodiffusion Télévision du Sénégal [RTS 1] has returned to 11003 MHz horizontal, SR 6510, FEC 3/4, VPID 308, APID 256 after a short absence.

      30 degreesW:
      Hispasat 1A/B/C

      D On 11615 MHz vertical, SR 27500, FEC 3/4, VPID 7710, APID 7810 the AXN Espana promo channel is now encoded after a period in the clear. TV Canaria is new on 12052 MHz horizontal, SR 28126, FEC 5/6, VPID 2201, APID 2202 in free-to-air MPEG-2. Popular TV has commenced regular programming on 11731 MHz horizontal, SR 28156, FEC 5/6, VPID 1001, APID 1002 in the Retevision package. On 4 October at 20:10 a live feed for the Barcelona based TV de Catalunya was carried on 11655 MHz horizontal, SR 4998, FEC 3/4, VPID 333, APID 800, ID:’GCEF1′ in free-to-air MPEG-2. The popular and lively TV Globo Internacional from Brazil is set to return to European screens next month courtesy of Portugal’s TV Cabo. TV Globo has been fed to Europe intermittently during the last few years but this will be the first time that the channel has been available on a regular permanent basis.

      40.5 degreesW:
      NSS 806

      D In parallel with Atlantic Bird 2 at 8 degrees West, Jaam-e-Jam International has launched on 3850 MHz RHCP, SR 18800, FEC 3/4, V3160, A3120, ID ‘Pars TV’. All of the channels in the Argentinian package at 3723 MHz RHCP, SR 26667, FEC 3/4 are free-to-air at times. They are America TV, Big Channel, Hallmark Entertainment, Magic Kids, Country Music, America Sport, P&E Formar, CVN, Plus Sat, Utilisima and Europe-Europe.

      50 degreesW:
      Intelsat 10-1

      Intelsat 10-1 is slated for a late Summer, 2003 launch from Baikonur. It will be parked at this geostationary slot and will carry 36 C-Band and 20 Ku-Band transponders.

      55.5 degreesW:
      Intelsat 805

      D The Brazilian channel TV Vat Amazonia has returned to 3795 MHz vertical, SR 1810, FEC 3/4, VPID 337, APID 340 in clear MPEG-2 after a short break.