Eutelsat Communications successfully launched its HOT BIRD7A broadcast satellite aboard an Ariane 5 ECA rocket.
After a series of firings to put the satellite into geostationary orbit, the satellite will be tested and eventually join the HOT BIRD neighborhood at 13 degrees East.
According to Eutelsat Communications CEO Giuliano Berretta, the arrival of HOT BIRD7A coincides with the “near completion” of the transition to digital in the HOT BIRD neighborhood, which hosts Europe’s first commercial HDTV channels. The new 38 Ku-band transponder satellite will optimize the capacity at Eutelsat's prime video neighborhood.
Currently, the HOT BIRD neighborhood broadcasts 850 television channels and 550 radio stations to 113 million homes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
