Switzerland’s SRG SSR renews long-term commitment to Eutelsat HOTBIRD position for HD channels

Paris, 23 February 2017- Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced that SRG SSR, Switzerland’s public TV and radio broadcaster, has confirmed itslong-term commitment to the HOT BIRD neighbourhood with the multi-year renewal of one transponder that complements a second transponder already booked on a long-term basis.

SRG SSR occupies thetwo HOTBIRD transponders to broadcast seven channels (RTS Un, RTS Deux, SRF 1, SRF zwei, SRF info, RSI LA 1, RSI LA 2) exclusively in HD quality to Swiss homes beyond range of quality terrestrial reception and for Swiss citizens living abroad. The capacity is also used for Hbb TV services and 26 public service radio stations.

The upgrade to an all-HD satellite offer at the HOTBIRD neighbourhood was completed in February 2016 with a focus on delivering high signal quality.

About Eutelsat’s HOTBIRD neighbourhood

Eutelsat’s cluster of three high-power HOTBIRD satellites at 13° East deliver an unrivalled line-up of over 1,000 channels. The trend towards HD is accelerating, with a 25% increase in channels over the last 12 months, taking the total to over 250 and transforming HOTBIRD into a hub of exclusive pay-TV and free-to-air HD content. Over 135 million homes in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa watch channels broadcast by the HOTBIRD constellation through Direct-to-Home reception, cable, IP and DTT networks.