July 31, 2006
Hang on, what are these guys up to? Is this first fella actually cutting up a perfectly good satellite dish?
What? Is there some new kind of dish-hatred fetish that I've missed out on?
OK, so it wouldn't be the first fashion that just blew right past me without even registering on the old satellite-help-o-meter, but come on...
And ...
I know the satellite world’s a little slow right now, but really…
by BGonaSTICKHang on, what are these guys up to? Is this first fella actually cutting up a perfectly good satellite dish?
What? Is there some new kind of dish-hatred fetish that I've missed out on?
OK, so it wouldn't be the first fashion that just blew right past me without even registering on the old satellite-help-o-meter, but come on...
And ...
July 30, 2006
Eutelsat's Hotbird 8 broadcast satellite is undergoing final preparations in Baikonur for an ILS Proton Breeze M launch scheduled for August 4 at 21:48 UTC, 22:48 British Summer Time, 03:48 August 5 in Baikonur. Based on EADS Space's Eurostar E3000, Hotbird 8 has a capacity almost three times that of the previous-generation HOT BIRD satellites. It will operate with a payload power in excess of 11 kW, which makes it the most powerful satellite ever built in Europe. Equipped with a two-level communications module, an all-chemical propulsion system and lithium-ion batteries, it will have a launch weight of almost 5 metric tons. The solar panels, spanning 39 metres once unfolded in orbit, will provide more than 14 kW of electric power. HOT BIRD 8 is designed to have a 15-year service life in orbit.With 64 transponders that can be operated simultaneously, of which 58 transponders will operate at full power for most of the satellite’s lifetime, HOT BIRD 8 is the largest satellite yet ordered by Eutelsat. It will join the company’s constellation of HOT BIRD broadcasting satellites at 13 degrees East that provide 950 television channels, 600 radio stations and interactive services to 110 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.HOT BIRD 8’s mission is to replace existing HOT BIRD capacity and to join HOT BIRD 7A in bringing in-orbit sparing to a level where 13 degrees East can maintain its reputation as one of the most secure multi-satellite video neighbourhoods. The satellite has been designed to cover all 102 Ku-band transponders/frequencies at 13 degrees East which means that it can substitute any transponder on the other HOT BIRD satellites.To date 43 Eurostar satellites have been ordered, 29 of which have already been successfully launched. Six Eurostar E3000s are currently operating in orbit, while nine more are in production.Image Copyright EADS SPACE
Hotbird 8 prepares for launch
byEutelsat's Hotbird 8 broadcast satellite is undergoing final preparations in Baikonur for an ILS Proton Breeze M launch scheduled for August 4 at 21:48 UTC, 22:48 British Summer Time, 03:48 August 5 in Baikonur. Based on EADS Space's Eurostar E3000, Hotbird 8 has a capacity almost three times that of the previous-generation HOT BIRD satellites. It will operate with a payload power in excess of 11 kW, which makes it the most powerful satellite ever built in Europe. Equipped with a two-level communications module, an all-chemical propulsion system and lithium-ion batteries, it will have a launch weight of almost 5 metric tons. The solar panels, spanning 39 metres once unfolded in orbit, will provide more than 14 kW of electric power. HOT BIRD 8 is designed to have a 15-year service life in orbit.With 64 transponders that can be operated simultaneously, of which 58 transponders will operate at full power for most of the satellite’s lifetime, HOT BIRD 8 is the largest satellite yet ordered by Eutelsat. It will join the company’s constellation of HOT BIRD broadcasting satellites at 13 degrees East that provide 950 television channels, 600 radio stations and interactive services to 110 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.HOT BIRD 8’s mission is to replace existing HOT BIRD capacity and to join HOT BIRD 7A in bringing in-orbit sparing to a level where 13 degrees East can maintain its reputation as one of the most secure multi-satellite video neighbourhoods. The satellite has been designed to cover all 102 Ku-band transponders/frequencies at 13 degrees East which means that it can substitute any transponder on the other HOT BIRD satellites.To date 43 Eurostar satellites have been ordered, 29 of which have already been successfully launched. Six Eurostar E3000s are currently operating in orbit, while nine more are in production.Image Copyright EADS SPACE
July 21, 2006
Awareness of digital switchover is increasing, and older viewers are the most aware of any group, according to new research by Digital UK and Ofcom. Digital UK, the public service broadcaster and digital terrestrial multiplex operator-funded body charged with coordinating the Government's 2008-2012 switchover timetable, said its tracking survey showed in the three months to June that 66% of the population had heard about the switchover process. Awareness was highest in the Border TV region. Switchover begins there in Whitehaven in the autumn of 2007, with most of the region following in 2008. The survey showed 82% of people were aware of the change. Across the UK awareness is highest among those aged 65-74, at 78%, and lowest among the 16-24 age group, at 47%. Digital UK said the national survey of more than 2,500 adults showed a "marked increase" in public awareness following its first information campaign. The campaign, featuring friendly robot Digit Al and comedian Matt Lucas, ran in May on BBC and commercial channels. Following the campaign, awareness increased by 13% nationally and by 11 points in the Border region. West Country and Wales, the TV regions that will follow Border in the switchover sequence, also have above-average awareness of switchover. In West Country, 77% of people are aware, and in Wales 71%, said Digital UK. Digital UK CEO Ford Ennals said: "These results are encouraging and demonstrate that the message about switchover is getting through, particularly to older viewers. "We still have a lot of work to do in order to ensure everyone knows about switchover and understands what they need to do to prepare. This includes knowing that all televisions need to be able to receive a digital signal. Nevertheless, this is a good start to our programme of communication and support, one we will continue to build on in the coming months and years." Ofcom strategy director Jim Egan said: "The switchover tracker research will provide valuable intelligence on consumer attitudes and expectations in the run up to full digital switchover. It will also be an important means of monitoring progress in the critical years ahead."
Digital switchover awareness rises
byAwareness of digital switchover is increasing, and older viewers are the most aware of any group, according to new research by Digital UK and Ofcom. Digital UK, the public service broadcaster and digital terrestrial multiplex operator-funded body charged with coordinating the Government's 2008-2012 switchover timetable, said its tracking survey showed in the three months to June that 66% of the population had heard about the switchover process. Awareness was highest in the Border TV region. Switchover begins there in Whitehaven in the autumn of 2007, with most of the region following in 2008. The survey showed 82% of people were aware of the change. Across the UK awareness is highest among those aged 65-74, at 78%, and lowest among the 16-24 age group, at 47%. Digital UK said the national survey of more than 2,500 adults showed a "marked increase" in public awareness following its first information campaign. The campaign, featuring friendly robot Digit Al and comedian Matt Lucas, ran in May on BBC and commercial channels. Following the campaign, awareness increased by 13% nationally and by 11 points in the Border region. West Country and Wales, the TV regions that will follow Border in the switchover sequence, also have above-average awareness of switchover. In West Country, 77% of people are aware, and in Wales 71%, said Digital UK. Digital UK CEO Ford Ennals said: "These results are encouraging and demonstrate that the message about switchover is getting through, particularly to older viewers. "We still have a lot of work to do in order to ensure everyone knows about switchover and understands what they need to do to prepare. This includes knowing that all televisions need to be able to receive a digital signal. Nevertheless, this is a good start to our programme of communication and support, one we will continue to build on in the coming months and years." Ofcom strategy director Jim Egan said: "The switchover tracker research will provide valuable intelligence on consumer attitudes and expectations in the run up to full digital switchover. It will also be an important means of monitoring progress in the critical years ahead."
July 11, 2006
Channel 4’s film channel, Film4, will relaunch as a free service on Sunday 23rd July at 9pm, with the free-to-air premiere of Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning film, Lost in Translation (2003), starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The channel will screen a mix of major Hollywood films with great British films, both new and old, alongside timeless classics and cult favourites. Film4 is relaunching with a continuing commitment to showcasing British films and filmmakers, with one in four of all films transmitting on the channel coming from the UK. On launch night, following Lost in Translation, the highly acclaimed British gangster film and FilmFour production, Sexy Beast, is scheduled to lead the roll out of home grown films. The new free-to-air Film4 has secured carriage on all major digital TV platforms, including BSkyB’s Freesat, meaning that some 18 million digital TV homes will be able to receive Film4 from day one, at no extra cost, making it the UK’s biggest film channel. The new channel, which joins Channel 4, E4 and More4 on the Freeview platform, replaces existing subscription channel, FilmFour, which final day of transmission is 19th July.Source: Film4
Film4 goes free from 23rd July
byChannel 4’s film channel, Film4, will relaunch as a free service on Sunday 23rd July at 9pm, with the free-to-air premiere of Sofia Coppola’s Oscar-winning film, Lost in Translation (2003), starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson. The channel will screen a mix of major Hollywood films with great British films, both new and old, alongside timeless classics and cult favourites. Film4 is relaunching with a continuing commitment to showcasing British films and filmmakers, with one in four of all films transmitting on the channel coming from the UK. On launch night, following Lost in Translation, the highly acclaimed British gangster film and FilmFour production, Sexy Beast, is scheduled to lead the roll out of home grown films. The new free-to-air Film4 has secured carriage on all major digital TV platforms, including BSkyB’s Freesat, meaning that some 18 million digital TV homes will be able to receive Film4 from day one, at no extra cost, making it the UK’s biggest film channel. The new channel, which joins Channel 4, E4 and More4 on the Freeview platform, replaces existing subscription channel, FilmFour, which final day of transmission is 19th July.Source: Film4
July 7, 2006
It's not very often that I like something that Sky comes up with.
More often than not, I have to refrain from even talking about Sky until after the kids have gone to bed because of the colourful language that's scattered liberally throughout my rant.
This time though, I have to hold my ...
How cool is that?
by BGonaSTICKIt's not very often that I like something that Sky comes up with.
More often than not, I have to refrain from even talking about Sky until after the kids have gone to bed because of the colourful language that's scattered liberally throughout my rant.
This time though, I have to hold my ...HOTBIRD 8 will use Breeze M
byHOT BIRD 8 signals Breeze M Return to Flight International Launch Services (ILS) has scheduled its next Proton mission for Aug. 5 from Baikonur, Kazakhstan (Aug. 4 GMT) with the launch of the HOT BIRD 8 satellite for Eutelsat. Following that, ILS plans two additional Proton Breeze M missions in 2006, based upon customers' satellite delivery schedules.The HOT BIRD 8 satellite arrived in Baikonur yesterday morning. Weighing 4.9 tons and equipped with 64 Ku-band transponders for television and radio broadcasting, HOT BIRD 8 will be the largest satellite yet orbited by Eutelsat.This is ILS' second Proton mission of the year and fourth launch overall for 2006. ILS suspended missions with the Breeze M upper stage after a Feb. 28 launch failed to place the Arabsat 4A satellite into the correct orbit. ILS is ready to return to flight with its Proton M/Breeze M vehicle now that a Russian State Commission and an independent review panel have concluded their inquiries into that failure."As we start the launch campaign, we acknowledge the confidence of our long-standing customer Eutelsat in the Proton M/Breeze M vehicle," said ILS President Mark Albrecht."The Proton M launch vehicle has a 100 percent success rate, and the reliability of the Breeze M upper stage remains one of the highest in the industry," Albrecht said. "With the arrival of the satellite, all the flight hardware is in place to start operations."Source: ILS
