French-language channel Maximizes SatLink’s Gateway to Africa from Europe 

Tel Aviv – 20 February 2013: Spacecom (Tel Aviv Stock Exchange: SCC), operator of the AMOS satellite fleet, and SatLink Communications, a leading teleport and HD Playout Centre delivering content to every corner of the world, today announced the addition of TV5MONDE Afrique to the AMOS-5 17°E French-language broadcast bouquet. SatLink Communications is providing a TV distribution platform on the satellite via its MCPC (Multi Channel Per Carrier).

TV5MONDE Afrique, the first international channel in the French language, is a general interest quality channel bringing knowledge and understanding of various cultures to the world. TV5MONDE Afrique enriches programming through exclusive and informative films, entertainment shows, sporting events, documentaries and productions. The channel is well known in French-speaking countries, with a nine out of 10 recognition rate.

Denise Epoté, Director of TV5MONDE Afrique, said, “As the number one brand in Africa, we’re excited to bring our superior programming to the AMOS-5 French-speaking neighborhood at 17°E. With a clear and powerful signal from Dakar in the Northwest all the way to La Réunion in the Southeast, the satellite offers our signal to more French-speaking audiences and in a simple manner.”

David Hochner, CEO of SatLink Communications, said: “The demand for high quality broadcast content in Africa is an area which is seeing exponential growth, particularly within the Francophone communities, as it is one of the most desirable markets for broadcasters as they continue to push their content to all corners of the continent. By provisioning full end-to-end broadcast solutions across three platforms on the AMOS-5 satellite, SatLink is able to provide full coverage across Africa for both international and national broadcasters looking to capitalize on this market opportunity. Combining our expanding operations in this region with our unrivalled location means that broadcasters such as TV5MONDE Afrique benefit from a true partner to deliver content to Africa.”

“The importance of the AMOS-5 French-speaking Ku-band’s location at 17°E cannot be emphasized enough,” said Amir Carmeli, vice president for sales, West Europe at Spacecom. “We reach the African continent’s primary French-speaking areas, and with a growing neighborhood, AMOS-5 is a highly attractive property for French broadcasters. With TV5MONDE Afrique, we are quickly emerging as leaders in this competitive environment.”

SatLink Communications allows broadcasters to effectively distribute video content to and out of Africa for Direct-To-Home (DTH) or via Cable TV, DBS, DTT, MMDS, Mobile TV and IPTV partners across the continent. Taking advantage of SatLink’s Global Satellite and Fibre Network, the service is available on both AMOS-5 Pan African C-band coverage in DVB-S and DVBS-2 and additional two Ku-Band MCPC platforms to serve Sub-Saharan countries, giving broadcasters greater flexibility with the provisioning of services to Africa including the Uplink, Downlink, Turnaround, Playout, content management, content localization, encryption (CA) solutions and inland installations.

From its 17°E orbital position, AMOS-5 provides powerful C-band and Ku-band beams for supplying broadcast and data services to the entire African continent. The satellite began commercial operations in January 2012 and is becoming a prime carrier of African satellite communications traffic in both broadcast and data services.

ABOUT TV5MONDE AFRIQUE:
More than 10 million African households in 48 countries receive the channel, along with 40,000 hotels rooms. With African programmes making up to 15 percent of the programming, and with 40 hours of programming subtitled in English every week, TV5MONDE is a cornerstone in the African world of media.

KEY FIGURES ABOUT TV5MONDE AFRIQUE:
More than 90% awareness in all French-speaking African capitals: 94.6% in Kinshasa, 97.7% in Bamako, 93.6% in Dakar, with weekly audience figures up to 80% (81.6% in Bamako in Mali) and 64.8% in Kinshasa in the Democratic  Republic of Congo, where TV5MONDE is the leading international channel (source: Africascope 2012).

CONTACTS:

Denise Epoté
+33 (0)1 44 18 55 91
[email protected]

Guillaume Danard
Tel: +33 (0)1 44 18 48 60
[email protected]

ABOUT SPACECOM 
Spacecom (Space-Communication Ltd.), operator of the AMOS-2 and AMOS-3 satellites co-located at 4°W and AMOS-5 located at 17°E, provides high-quality broadcast and communications services in Europe, the Middle East, the U.S. East Coast and Africa, to direct-to-home (DTH) and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) operators, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), telecom operators, network integrators and government agencies.
AMOS-5 delivers high-power C-band and Ku-band capacity to the entire African continent with connectivity to Europe and the Middle East. The planned launch of AMOS-4 in 2013 with coverage over Russia, India and South Asia, and AMOS-6 in 2015 with coverage over Europe and the Middle East, will further enhance Spacecom’s position as a global satellite operator.
For more information, please visit: http://www.amos-spacecom.com/

CONTACTS:

World Media:
Josh Shuman, S&A Communications
+972-54-498-5833
[email protected]

US Media:
Hannah Dolby, Sage Communications
+1-703-584-5651
[email protected]

ABOUT SATLINK COMMUNICATIONS: 
SatLink delivers your content to every corner of the world. Recognized as a pioneer in global satellite communications services, SatLink is among the world’s 11 top independent teleports and a leading provider of transmission solutions for Global Content Distribution over Satellite Platforms, Fiber and IP. SatLink’s services include Uplink, Downlink and Turn Around in SD, HD & 3D, HD Playout Center, Production, SNG & Fly Away, Hub Hosting, iDirect VNO hosting, Video Monitoring, IPTV and TT&C. Strategically located in the heart of the Middle East, SatLink provides access to a worldwide network covering five continents and has been providing its clients with flexible and cost-effective transmission solutions for more than two decades. SatLink operates a range of premier MCPC platforms including HotBird, AsiaSat 5, AMOS-5, and more.
www.satlink.tv

CONTACT:

Kim Smith/Sophie Young, éclat Marketing
+44 (0) 1276 486000
[email protected]