[March 31, 2016]

France Télévisions Ramps up Eutelsat Capacity for HD Broadcasting of All France 3 Regional Channels

Regulatory News:

Eutelsat (News - Alert) Communications (Paris:ETL) and France Télévisions announce a new agreement for capacity on the EUTELSAT 5 West A satellite that sets the scene for France's public broadcaster to upgrade all of France 3's regional channels to HD from 5 April. The 24 regional channels will be available for the two million homes receiving Fransat, Eutelsat's free-to-view TV platform for French homes.

France 3 Régions available in HD across 100% of French territory

The move is part of the complete switch of France's DTT channels to MPEG4-HD in the night of 4 to 5 April. Fransat viewers will be the first satellite viewers to experience the benefits of enhanced sound and video quality of France 3's full roster of regional channels.

France Télévisions: 100% HD

The change in standard is a major challenge for France Télévisions, requiring uninterrupted broadcasting of a line-up comprising five national channels (France 2, France 3, France 4, France 5, France Ô) and the 24 regional channels of France 3. Video, audio, data used for audio description and connected TV services will all benefit from improved quality optimised for TV viewers.

About Eutelsat CommunicationsEstablished in 1977, Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is one of the world's leading and most experienced operators of communications satellites. The company provides capacity on 40 satellites to clients that include broadcasters and broadcasting associations, pay-TV operators, video, data and Internet service providers, enterprises and government agencies. Eutelsat's satellites provide ubiquitous coverage of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific and the Americas, enabling video, data, broadband and government communications to be established irrespective of a user's location. Headquartered in Paris, with offices and teleports around the globe, Eutelsat represents a workforce of 1,000 men and women from 37 countries who are experts in their fields and work with clients to deliver the highest quality of service.