MultiChoice Africa Steps up Capacity on EUTELSAT 36A to Expand the DStv Platform

MultiChoice Africa Steps up Capacity on EUTELSAT 36A to Expand the DStv Platform

PARIS and JOHANNESBURG, February 25, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --





MultiChoice Africa has signed new multi-year contracts with Eutelsat Communications
(Euronext Paris: ETL) to boost the offer of its popular DStv pay-TV service. MultiChoice
Africa is activating one additional transponder on the EUTELSAT 36A satellite from March,
with a second to be activated from May. This takes to 22 the total number of transponders
leased by MultiChoice at Eutelsat's 36degree(s) East video neighbourhood.



The new capacity will reinforce the African content provided by MultiChoice Africa
through its leading Direct-to-Home platform. Launched from Eutelsat's 36degree(s) East
neighbourhood in 2000, DStv delivers television to viewers in 50 countries across
Sub-Saharan Africa, offering a dynamic technology platform and a range of bouquets built
around compelling news, premium films, documentaries and sports channels.



In support of this move, Nico Meyer, CEO of MultiChoice Africa said: "At MultiChoice
Africa, our mission is to be constantly at the cutting edge of new technology that enables
DStv subscribers to enjoy the very best home television experience. Our partnership with
Eutelsat has enabled MultiChoice Africa to expand DStv services with the launch of new
channels. We are proud that the DStv channels remain of the best quality and consistently
deliver new and exciting programming that enhances subscriber viewing pleasure, with
examples of constant product developments including our DStv-on-Demand services and High
Definition channels."



Jean-Francois Leprince-Ringuet, Eutelsat's Chief Commercial Officer added: "This new
step strengthens our longstanding collaboration with MultiChoice, a hallmark in Africa for
quality and creative digital TV services that continue to innovate and match consumer
expectations. The additional capacity booked by MultiChoice also further anchors
36degree(s) East, occupied by the EUTELSAT 36A and B satellites, as abeacon for
multi-channel viewing across sub-Saharan Africa".



About MultiChoice Africa



MultiChoice Africa Limited ("MultiChoice Africa") is Africa's pioneer pay TV services,
having launched the first digital satellite service in the 1980s. MultiChoice Africa
provides multi-channel digital pay television services containing channels from Africa,
America, China, India, Asia and Europe. The company has over twenty years' experience as a
Pay TV operator in Africa, offering cutting-edge digital technology and a selection of
DStv bouquets containing premium television channels for subscribers in over 50 African
countries and the adjacent Indian Ocean islands.



About Eutelsat Communications (http://www.eutelsat.com
[http://www.eutelsat.com/home/index.html ])



Eutelsat Communications is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A. With capacity
commercialised on 30 satellites delivering reach of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia,
significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext
Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading satellite operators. As
of 31 December 2012 Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting almost 4,500 television
channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and
Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution,
corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Headquartered in Paris,
Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ over 780 commercial, technical and operational
professionals from 30 countries.




Eutelsat Communications

CONTACT: For further information: anda.ngani@multichoice.co.za, Tel +27-11-289-3081. Press: Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-37-91, voconnor@eutelsat.fr. Frédérique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-37-91, fgautier@eutelsat.fr. Marie-Sophie Ecuer, Tel: +33-1-53-98-37-91, mecuer@eutelsat.fr. Investors and analysts: Lisa Finas, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com. Leonard Wapler, Tel: +33-1-53-98-31-07, investors@eutelsat-communications.com.


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