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 36° 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 36° 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-François 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 36° 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)

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.

SOURCE Eutelsat Communications