Page 60 - SAMENA Trends - November-December 2021

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M7 Inks 1-Degree West Satellite Capacity Agreements

Luxembourg-based pay-TV provider M7 - for which RTL Hungary acquired the while Viasat World is arranging the content
Group has concluded new HD satellite rights for three seasons. The agreement line-up and localization. Commenting
capacity agreements for its 1-degree West with ViacomCBS will see the media giant on the deals, Bill Wijdeveld, VP platform
platform with RTL Hungary, ViacomCBS use the newly contracted 1-degree West content services at CANAL+-owned M7
and Network4/Viasat World. The three capacity for the satellite distribution of Group says: “We are truly delighted to
new satellite capacity deals build upon its dedicated CEE feed of Nickelodeon have inked new agreements with three
long-standing contracts with all three HD. The agreement with M7 follows on a highly respected customers with whom
parties for both 1-degree West and ASTRA recent contract renewal for the satellite we have enjoyed solid partnerships over
23.5 degrees East capacity, as well as distribution of 12 ViacomCBS channels many years. Not only for satellite platform
related channel carriage agreements. The targeting various CEE markets. Network4 services, but also for bringing their great
agreement with RTL Hungary facilitates the in partnership with Viasat World has content to our subscribers throughout
satellite distribution of RTL+ in HD quality. contracted 1-degree West capacity for the the various M7 markets in Europe. We
A key benefit is that it will allow Hungarian distribution of a fully Hungarian-localized look forward to a continued, fruitful
football fans to enjoy live matches and version of documentary channel Viasat cooperation.”
highlights of the UEFA Europa League Explorer, to be launched shortly. Network4
and the UEFA Europa Conference League will be in charge of local advertising sales,

Soyuz Rocket Launches 36 OneWeb Internet Satellites into Orbit

An Arianespace Soyuz rocket launched mark of their constellation in space and OneWeb is not the only company vying for
dozens of new internet satellites into orbit signed a series of distribution agreements the satellite internet customers. SpaceX
to boost a growing megaconstellation by with partners in Australia, Canada and is building a megaconstellation of its own
service provider OneWeb. The Russian- Europe for their service network. "The called Starlink and has launched 1,944
built Soyuz rocket launched 36 OneWeb demand for connectivity is not just at satellites since 2019. That constellation is
satellites from Baikonur Cosmodrome in an emotional level, it is almost visceral," expected to number at least 4,400 satellites
Kazakhstan. The flight comes just two OneWeb CEO Neil Masterson told Via in its initial configuration. Amazon is
days after an Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket Satellite in an interview this month. "We also developing its own internet satellite
launched NASA's James Webb Space think we have this incredible opportunity to constellation called Kuiper, but has yet to
Telescope into space on Christmas from level up this digital divide and help close it." launch any satellites.
Kourou, French Guiana and just ahead of
the New Year, closing out Arianespace's
launch manifest for 2021. It's "a special
time of the year for a very special flight,"
Arianespace CEO Stéphane Israël said via
a video message during a launch webcast.
The launch was Arianespace's 15th of
2021 and the last of the year, he added.
This launch marked the eighth launch
of the year for OneWeb, which now has
394 of its internet satellites in orbit. If all
goes well, the 36 new satellites will be
deployed in an initial orbit 280 miles (450
kilometers) above Earth about 3 hours, 45
minutes after liftoff. They'll then head off to
a final orbit more than 621miles (1,000 km)
above Earth. The London-based OneWeb
is building a constellation of 648 satellites
to provide high-speed internet access to
customers around the world, especially
remote and under-connected locations.
This year, the company reached the 60%

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