Arianespace Inks DirecTV Latin America Satellite Launch Deal
U.S. Pay-TV operator DirecTV exercised an option in its multi-launch contract with Arianespace to include a mission to send a new DirecTV Latin America service-providing satellite into orbit.
Arianespace will orbit the new spacecraft in 2014 on an Ariane 5 rocket launched from the European Spaceport in French Guiana. The pay-TV operator has already contracted Arianespace to launch DirecTV-14 and DirecTV-15 within the same time frame. The DirecTV Latin America deal represents the ninth commercial satellite launch contract Arianespace has signed in 2011.
DirecTV said it would utilize the new satellite’s capacity to expand the delivery of high-definition, 3-D television and cinema programming across Latin America.
The satellite is currently under construction by Space Systems/Loral, scheduled for delivery in 2014 and slated for placement at the 95 degrees West orbital location.
Avanti Expands Partnership, Customer Agreements in Europe
Avanti Communications Group has signed new service provider network partnership agreements and an expansion to an existing customer agreement.
Avanti entered into partnerships with Antech in Italy and BriteYellow in the United Kingdom. The operator said the deal aims to help its new partners boost their capabilities as providers of satellite broadband services to homes and businesses in underserved areas.
Panasonic Avionics Signs Billion-Dollar In-flight Deal with Etihad Airways
Etihad Airways contracted Panasonic Avionics to provide in-flight entertainment systems and in-flight connectivity, including broadband Internet and live TV, for the airline’s entire long-haul fleet of wide body aircraft during a period of 10 years.
While the deal is currently being finalized, Panasonic said the approximate value of the contract should be more than $1 billion in list prices, as the deal also includes a full service maintenance contract.
SES Leases Astra Capacity to Luxembourg’s M7 Group
FSS operator SES signed a capacity and uplink agreement with Luxembourg-based satellite television provider M7 Group to distribute its content from the Astra 19.2 degrees East orbital position.
The contracted capacity will be used for DTH distribution of French-speaking channels for the Belgian market, including the RTBF channels La Une and La Deux and RTL Group channels RTL TVi, RTL Club and Plug RTL.
