Stage Set For Expansion Of DirecTV's Local High Definition Television

SPACEMART

El Segundo CA (SPX) Nov 18, 2005
DirecTV continued to build the in-orbit framework for the nationwide rollout of hundreds of local high-definition (HD) broadcast channels Thursday with the successful launch of the Spaceway F2 satellite.

The new satellite, combined with the Spaceway F1 satellite, will enable DirecTV to provide local HD channels to customers in 36 major markets, or more than 57 percent of U.S. television households, by early next year.

The Boeing-built spacecraft lifted off today from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana, at 3:46 p.m. PST (8:46 p.m. Kourou time).

Spaceway F2, along with the Spaceway F1 satellite that was placed in orbit in late April, will support the rollout of up to 500 local HD channels. DirecTV will offer local HD broadcast channels in 12 cities by the end of this year and 24 cities early next year.

Spaceway F1 began transmitting local HD signals to customers in Detroit on Oct. 20, and four markets -- Chicago, Philadelphia, Atlanta and San Francisco -- will begin receiving local HD broadcast channels this month. DirecTV will also launch HD locals in Tampa, Dallas, Houston, Boston, Washington D.C., Los Angeles and New York in December.

The Spaceway satellites will be joined by two more next-generation spacecraft in 2007, and together they will deliver more than 1,500 local and 150 national HD channels to DirecTV customers nationwide.

"With our unprecedented rollout of local digital and high-definition broadcast channels in major markets underway and the recent launch of our new DirecTV Plus DVR, we are moving aggressively to provide our customers with an unparalleled television entertainment experience and distinguish the DirecTV service in the marketplace," said Chase Carey, president and CEO, DirecTV. "The successful launch of the Spaceway 2 satellite moves us a step closer to our goal of offering local HD programming to most, if not all, TV households in the United States."

The Boeing-built 702 model satellite was carried into space by an Ariane 5 ECA launch vehicle and will provide commercial service at 99.2 degrees West Longitude (WL), one of the Ka-band orbital slots that DirecTV will use to transmit local digital and HD signals via spot beam to its customers.

After 29 minutes, the rocket left the spacecraft in a geosynchronous transfer orbit with a high point of 22,300 miles (36,000 km) above the equator. Controllers at the Hartebeesthoek ground station in South Africa made contact with the satellite and confirmed that all systems are functioning properly.

In the coming weeks, controllers will maneuver the spacecraft into a circular orbit; deploy the antennas and solar arrays; and test operational functions, communications payload and propulsion system.

The Spaceway F2 is identical to the Spaceway F1 satellite, which launched April 26 from the Sea Launch platform, and has commenced commercial operations from the 102.8-degree WL orbital slot.

SPACEMART

SES Astra And Hellas Sat Sign Framework Agreement On Hellas Sat Capacity

Paris, France (SPX) Nov 17, 2005
SES Astra and the Greek satellite operator Hellas Sat have signed a framework agreement about the utiliSation of Hellas-Sat 2 satellite capacity by SES Astra.

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