Italy's Elettronica Industriale (Mediaset Group) Extends Leases with Eutelsat on the ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 Satellite for Dtt Distribution

Italy's Elettronica Industriale (Mediaset Group) Extends Leases with Eutelsat on the ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 Satellite for Dtt Distribution

PARIS and MILAN, December 18/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Elettronica Industriale, the network operator of the Mediaset Group has renewed its leases for capacity with Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) on the ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 satellite in order to secure channel distribution to Digital Terrestrial Television DTT) transmitters across Italy.

Eutelsat's ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 satellite was first selected by Elettronica Industriale in March 2006 as the primary distribution platform to ensure nationwide delivery of channels to DTT towers. The two transponders leased by Elettronica Industriale host four multiplexes, which include free-to-air and pay-TV content, and which are uplinked from its teleport in Milan.

The extension of the contract with Elettronica Industriale further anchors Eutelsat's ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 satellite as a core element of the network infrastructure being deployed across Europe and the Mediterranean Basin for digital switchover. In addition to Italy, the satellite has been used since 2005 for primary DTT distribution in France, and in 2007 was selected by Telediffusion d'Algerie for nationwide delivery of Algeria's first DTT channels.

Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat CEO commented on the contract: "The ubiquitous coverage provided by satellites makes them the most cost-effective and cost-efficient solution for delivering digital TV multiplexes to the national DTT networks being progressively deployed across Europe and the Mediterranean Basin. We are delighted to extend our longstanding partnership with Elettronica Industriale and that the performance and coverage of ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 meets their long-term requirements to deliver DTT channels to headends nationwide."

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 27 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 September 2009, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting 3,300 television channels and 1,100 radio stations. More than 1,000 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13 degrees East which serves over 123 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 teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local communities, government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ 615 commercial, technical and operational employees from 28 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

Vanessa O'Conno, 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