San Marino TV Selects Two Eutelsat Satellites To Broadcast Across Italy And Europe
10 June 2011
San Marino RTV, has concluded a three-year contract with Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) enabling SMtv, its new satellite channel, to commence pan-Italian and pan-European broadcasting on June 13.
San Marino's national broadcaster will optimise the reach of SMtv by broadcasting via Eutelsat's HOT BIRD™ video neighbourhood and the EUROBIRD™ 9A satellite. The 24-hour general entertainment channel will be available free-to-air to satellite TV homes and will also be carried in the Sky Italia and TivuSat DTH platforms. The channel will be uplinked from the Cagliari (Sardinia) teleport owned and operated by Eutelsat's affiliate, Skylogic.
Launched in 1993, San Marino RTV has progressively built up its broadcasting capability, reaching viewers through the DTT network in San Marino and Italy's Emilia Romagna region. Its new satellite venture will feature a strong editorial focus on San Marino and bordering Italian regions, but also events across the world, particularly political and economic issues in the Balkans and the Mediterranean Basin.
"We are excited to broaden our brand and to take this important step towards international distribution with Eutelsat", says Carmen Lasorella, CEO of San Marino RTV. "Through satellite broadcasting, the small state of San Marino is now able to deliver a new perspective on news for viewers in Italy and across Europe. Our commitment is to leveraging these new platforms to offer an innovative, complete and continually upgraded service."
Andrew Wallace, Eutelsat Chief Commercial Officer, added: "We are delighted to welcome SMtv on board and to optimise the reach of this new channel venture from two video positions. Programming choice, quality and diversity underscore the popularity of our leading video neighbourhoods and SMtv's dedication to creating compelling content will add to this exceptional channel line-up."