Roots Global Expands Asian Channel Platform on Eutelsat's EUROBIRD(TM) 9 Satellite

Roots Global Expands Asian Channel Platform on Eutelsat's EUROBIRD(TM) 9 Satellite

PARIS, October 20/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Roots Global, the new pan-European TV platform for South Asian communities in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa is expanding up its offer of channels broadcast from the EUROBIRD(TM) 9 satellite of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL). The new platform is managed by Singapore-based Spize TV, majority-owned by Global Asia Partners - an investment group dedicated to investing in high potential IT and media companies - and Pyramid Saimira (listed on the Indian stock exchange: PSTL) of Chennai, India. Spize TV has signed a long-term contract with Eutelsat on EUROBIRD(TM) 9 to support its new platform.

Roots Global has launched with a complete set of channels from ARY Network (Ary Digital, QTV, etc.), Bollywood (B4U Music, B4U Movies) and TEN Sports which includes top international cricket series from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Australia, South Africa, England and the West Indies. The North and South bouquets are already up and running with channel packages gathered from Northern and Southern countries of the Indian Subcontinent and Nepal. A further bouquet with channels from the Far Eastern countries is under development.

In order to offer a broad range of free-to-air channels in addition to Asian content, Roots Global proposes subscribers the installation of a dual-LNB on their satellite dish for reception from EUROBIRD(TM) 9 and Eutelsat's HOT BIRD(TM) satellites which broadcast over 500 free-to-air channels.

Ajoy Khandheria, CEO of Roots Global says, "EUROBIRD(TM) 9 is the ideal location for our new platform. In addition to ensuring us potential for expansion, it enables us to offer our subscribers the chance to enrich their viewing options with the free-to-air channels broadcasting at Eutelsat's HOT BIRD(TM) neighbourhood. Dual-feed reception from two of Eutelsat's key video neighbourhoods is an efficient path for us to building our audience base and delivering homes the choice they expect."

Olivier Millies-Lacroix, Eutelsat Commercial Director, responded: "We are extremely pleased with the fast take-up of channels on EUROBIRD(TM) 9 and that its close proximity to the HOT BIRD(TM) satellites is clearly enabling broadcasters to deliver maximum choice to their audience. With the TVB package already providing Chinese content over Europe, via EUROBIRD(TM) 9, the arrival of Roots Global further enriches and diversifies our newest video neighbourhood for expatriate communities. We look forward to seeing the new platform ramp up into a reference for channels from the Indian sub-continent."

For more information from Roots Global please contact Ami Sharma: ami.sharma@rootsglobal.com

http://www.rootsglobal.com

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 24 satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in terms of revenues. At 30 June 2008, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 3,120 television channels and 1,100 radio stations. More than 1,100 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 120 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's satellites also serve a wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates services through its teleport in Italy that serves enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ 538 commercial, technical and operational experts from 27 countries.

http://www.eutelsat.com

          For further information      Press     Vanessa O'Connor     Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88     voconnor@eutelsat.fr      Frederique Gautier     Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88     fgautier@eutelsat.fr      Investors     Gilles Janvier     Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30     investors@eutelsat-communications.com  

Source: Eutelsat Communications

For further information: Press, Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Investors, Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

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Profile: International Entertainment