The regular "28" degrees east business of channel/frequency changes e.t.c. now goes on my "LATEST NEWS" page, this page will only be getting the big news updates relevant to this particular satellite's movements and receptions, I am "cross pollinating" too much if you get my meaning!‚©
UPDATE 29/01/13 at 21.10 - Astra 2E‚ -‚ And here we go again! Is the new launch date for Astra 2E going to be the 20th of May, 2013?! I will have more to come on everything tomorrow!
UPDATE 29/01/13 at 21.10 - Astra 2B - It is still‚ January/Tuesday! -‚ And it has happened in January and on Tuesday! According to SES-Astra all Astra 2B frequencies/channels have now been moved and Astra 2B has been replaced by Astra 2F at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position, they also say that Astra 2B will be moving to the 19.2 degrees east satellite position soon, but we knew that already right?! So what was that all about then?!, Has SES-Astra's lack of information giving made us all think too much to the point of being wrong when we were right in the first place?! "Paranoid" is what we have been turned into, always go with your first instincts is what I was always told and me thinks that is exactly what we will all be doing from now on! And I threw my "Crystal Ball" out in the rubbish too thinking it was now faulty with all this 2B or not 2B 1N stuff! It seems my "Crystal Ball" was right all along and it is not at all faulty! Oh Happy Days! LOL!
UPDATE 29/01/13 at 21.10 - Astra 2B - It is still‚ January! -‚ And it has happened in January! According to SES-Astra all Astra 2B frequencies/channels have now been moved to Astra 2F (what was that all about then?!) More to come on this
The following are the remaining Astra 2B frequencies which I am expecting to be removed/moved from Astra 2B soon :-
11.973 V SR 27.500 s/beam,
12.032 H SR 27.500 s/beam,
12.344 H SR 29.500 s/beam,
12.382 H SR 29.500‚ n/beam,
12.402 V SR 29.500 n/beam,
12.441 V SE 29.500 s/beam,
12.460 H SR 29.500 n/beam
UPDATE 28/01/13 at 19.45 - Astra 2B - Rob told you it was to be January?‚ Continued!
The following are the frequencies that have so far been removed/moved from Astra 2B :-
11.992 H SR 27.500 moved from 2B north to 2A north beam
12.012 V SR 29.500 moved from 2B north to 2A north beam
12.070 H SR 27.500 moved from 2B north to 1N ‚ p/e beam 1
12.090 V SR 29.500 moved from 2B north to 1N p/e beam 1
12.148 H SR 27.500 moved from 2A north to 1N p/e beam 1
12.168 V SR 29.500 moved from 2A north to 1N p/e beam 1
12.188 H SR 29.500 moved from 2B south to 1N p/e beam 1
12.207 V SR 27.500 moved from 2B south to 1N p/e beam 1
12.226 H SR 29.500 moved from 2A north to 1N p/e beam 1
12.246 V SR 29.500 moved from 2A north to 1N p/e beam 1
12.266 H SR 29.500 moved from 2B south to 1N p/e beam 1
12.285 V SR 27.500 moved from 2B south to 1N p/e beam 1
12.304 H SR 29.500 moved from 2B north to 1N p/e beam 1
12.324 V SR 29.500 moved from 2B north to 1N p/e beam 1
12.363 V SR 29.500 moved from 2B south to 1N p/e beam 1
‚©‚ Rob's Satellite TV 2013 - Republishing (cut and pasting) of this or any other information without "Rob's" written consent is prohibited
Many Thanks to website contributor "Jim" for providing this information breakdown
‚© Rob's Satellite TV 2013 - Republishing (cut and pasting) of this or any other information without "Rob's" written consent is prohibited
UPDATE 27/01/13 at 21.15 - Astra 2B - Rob told you it was to be January?‚ Continued!
Following the removal/moving of some of Astra 2B's frequencies/channels which Rob told you a long time ago would be happening in January what next? This removal came as no surprise to myself and readers of this website, the only surprise was that these chanenls were not as expected moved to Astra 2F but they were moved to Astra 1N and they were put on Astra 1N's Pan European Beam 1, I have always maintained that Astra 2B (not 2A) was the satellite to be cleared of all it's frequencies/channels and the satellite then moved elsewhere, these latest developments have done nothing to change my mind about that still happening, I expect the remaining Astra 2B frequencies/channels to be removed soon and it is probable that this removal will happen sometime this week, SES-Astra for some reason seem to like Tuesdays and Fridays for this type of thing so shall we say Tuesday at Noon?! LOL!‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV 2013‚ - Republishing (cut and pasting) without "Rob's" written consent is prohibited
UPDATE 26/01/13 at 11.30 - Astra 2B e.t.c. - Rob told you it was to be January? Continued!
What is going on? 12.070 H, 12.090 V, 12.148 H, 12.168 V, 12.188 H, 12.207 V, 12.226 H, 12.266 H, 12.324 V, 12.363 V and many more have moved but where have they moved to? As I have told you previously, the informations I give you are correct at the time I publish them but I cannot be held responsible for any changes to plans that happen thereafter, the recent frequency/channel moves should have been 2B/2A moved to 2F, this was confirmed as planned to happen but it seems that this has not happened according to the plans, unofficial confirmation confirms that the recently moved 2B/2A frequencies/channels have been moved to Astra 1N and that they are now transmitting on 1N's Pan European Beam 1 (1N has two PE Beam's), so what is going on here? SES-Astra have confused us all with this latest "move",‚ Astra 2B frequencies/channels were supposed to be moved to Astra 2F, Astra 2B is supposed to be moved from 28.2 degrees east to 19.2 degrees east, Astra 1N is supposed to be moved from 28.2 degrees east to 19.2 degrees east by Q3 2013 so it can take Astra 2C and Astra 1L's frequencies/channels, so why move the frequencies/channels to 1N? By using the confirmed information planned changes scenario‚ I will try and make sense of this (sorry if it gets a little confusing but I will try and keep it simple), firstly SES-Astra need extra satellites at a few of it's satellite positions, 28.2 degrees east and 19.2 degrees east are the obvious satellite positions that need extra capacity but other satellite positions which are expanding rapidly for SES-Astra are 31.5 degrees east and 23.5 degrees east, and 5 degrees east, SES-Astra are also currently in the middle of a satellite replacement programme because some of it's satellites are nearing the end of their life, confirmed SES-Astra satellites which are scheduled to be relocated are 1N, 2C, 2B, and 2A, without going into too much detail about the why's, what's, and how's, Astra 1N was originally intended to be located at 19.2 degrees east but was temporarily placed at 298.2 degrees east, 1N needs to go to 19.2 degrees east, Astra 2C was originally intended for 28.2 degrees east but was temporarily moved to 19.2 degrees east, 2C needs to go to 28.2 degrees east, Astra 2B needs to be moved to 19.2 degrees east,‚ these planned moves have been confirmed via varyious very reliable sources,‚ it is not known where Astra 2A is to be relocated to but"Rob" thinks 2A will probably move to 31.5 degrees east, once these planned changes happen then SES-Astra can move the even older satellites that it possesses as back up wherever it is needed,‚ of course the one other important addition toi the confusion is that we are waiting for the new Astra 2E 28.2 degrees satellite to be launched and operational by Q3 2013.‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV 2013
A good precursor to what SES-Astra's next plans/happenings will be is what happens next to Astra 2B (and to a slightly lesser extent 2A), if Astra 2B (or 2A) are completely emptied of frequencies/channels then SES-Astra will be quickly moving the said satellite to 19.2 degrees east and then bringing Astra 2C from 19.2 degrees east to 28.2 degrees east, there is a little more urgency than previously for SES-Astra to do this because it does have big plans already in place for 28.2 degrees east this year which includes new customers/new frequencies/new channels and also the Astra's taking over most of Eutelsat 28A's frequencies from October 2013, although these frequencies are currently being disputed by the two satellite companies SES-Astra do need to have the capacity in place by the Summer of 2013, it does look like SES-Astra are in a very strong position to get those Eutelsat frequencies, if Astra 2E were to experience problem with another launch delay or problems following launch then SES-Astra would be in a very difficult position regarding the 28.2 degrees east satellite position, they would most certainly be very short of the capacity and back up needed at 28.2 degrees east, 1N needs to stay at 28.2 degrees east until 2E is launched and operational, that is certain, so 2B (or 2A) is the only option, could the currently at 19.2 degrees east Astra 2C which is/was confirmed as scheduled to be cleared of it's frequencies/channels in Q3 2013 now be cleared and moved to 28.2 degrees east sooner than planned, as I said, it is a very fine timeline/timetable that SES-Astra are currently working with, they previously have and will continue to change their original plans as and when it is required to do so, they could indeed have changed the 2C plans, and as I said we need to keep a very close eye on what happens next with Astra 2B (and 2A), 2B cleared out or not 2B cleared out!, 2B moved or not 2B moved!, 2B or not 2B!, we must wait 2C! LOL!
Oh, and one other thing, these recent frequency/channel moves to Astra 1N Pan European Beam 1 rather than the wider coverage 1N Pan European Beam 2 is giving me signals so to speak, as well as the new Astra 2E having a UK and Pan European Beam it also has a Middle East Beam, could the 2B/2A moves to 1N Pan European Beam 1 be to enable SES-Astra to test this beam against the 2E Middle Eastern Beam for possible interference issues prior and following Astra 2E's, apart from the initial directly after launch 1N tests there has been no activity on these new 1N frequencies and beams so SES-Astra need some testing and if Astra 2C is coming to 28.2 degrees east sooner than originally planned then it's Pan European Beam would be the ideal replacement for Astra 1N's Pan European Beam 1, both 1N and 2E beams are similar in that they provide the better solution to possible Astra 2E Middle Eastern beam interference.‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV 2013
So in summary, if Astra 2B is cleared of it's frequencies/channels it is going to 19.2 degrees east and then Astra 2C is coming to 28.2 degrees east before Astra 1N goes to 19.2 degrees east, it is possible/probable that Astra 2A will be cleared too but as I said, 2A is for another position, probably 31.5 degrees east, I hope that I have given you some clarity on this currently confusing situation and that I have not confused you too much, Rob's Satellite TV, the Gem (Pearl) is a Sea of Seaweed!‚ ‚ ‚© Rob's Satellite TV 2013
‚© Rob's Satellite TV 2013 - Republishing (cut and pasting) of this or any other information without "Rob's" written consent is prohibited
UPDATE 22/12/12 at 20.45 - Astra Satellites -‚ "Where we at and Where we gonna be at?!". The "Rob" Lowdown
Some order/clarification on this great big "SES-Astra‚ Betzdorf Space Shuffle" that is happening/is going to be happening, let's start with the already happened some of Astra 1N frequencies/channels and‚ also the Astra 2B West African Beam frequencies/channels having‚ been transferred to Astra 2F, what is expected next to happen is that the Astra 2B European Beam frequencies/channels should be transferred to Astra 2F in January 2013 this will leave Astra 2B‚ clear of all traffic, Astra 2B is‚ scheduled to be relocated at some point (I will come to that later) but I am expecting that 2B will be temporarily used as a back up satellite at 28.2 degrees east in case of one of the other satellite's suffering a failure before it moves elsewhere, SES-Astra is currently in need of back up at 28.2 degrees east too, the new Astra 2E satellite will be launched sometime between March 2013 and June 2013 launch, the precise date is now to be confirmed following‚ a delay on future launches from‚ the proposed launch site after‚ a problem occurred with another satellite launch which needs to be fully investigated but following on from Astra 2E's successful launch there will be a transfer of the remaining Astra 1N frequencies/channels to the Astra 2E satellite, this is confirmed as scheduled to happen in the Summer of 2013, I am not expecting any of Astra 2A's frequencies/channels to have been transferred to another satellite by this point (it will become apparent why not later).
Now it is going to get a little confusing so please keep up! LOL!‚ In the Summer of 2013 and following Astra 1N transfer to Astra 2E then there should be the following SES-Astra satellite's at the following positions - 28.2 degrees east will have the active satellite's 2E, 2F, 2A and the back up satellite's 1N, 2B, and 2D - 19.2 degrees east will have the active satellite's 2C, 1L, 1M, and 1KR and the back up satellite's 1H, and AMC-2.
So moving on, but before I (and SES-Astra) move on there is something very important to be considering, SES-Astra's acquisition of most of Eutelsat's 28.5 degrees east frequencies, this frequency acquisition is currently being challenged by Eutelsat but‚ this frequency dispute will have been sorted out by Summer 2013 and if it remains so that SES-Astra have successfully acquired those Eutelsat frequencies then‚ by the Summer of 2013 SES-Astra would indeed have the infrastructue/satellites ready and in place for this Eutelsat frequency takeover, the plan is for these‚ Eutelsat's frequencies to be transferred to Astra's 2E and Astra 2F from October the 4th, 2013 but‚ this all means that Astra's 2E and 2F will be fully in service with little or no spare frequency capacity and because of this I do foresee that at this time (Q2/Q3 2013) that Astra 2A's frequencies/channels will not have been transferred to another satellite and that Astra 2B will also still be at 28.2 degrees east used as a back up satellite at least until after the next 19.2 degrees changes/moves have happened which I will now outline.
It has long been known that 19.2 degrees east is shy of active and back up satellite's and I foresee that Astra 2B will eventually end up at 19.2 degrees east as a back up satellite but that should not happen before the following things happen,Rob's "World Exclusive News" last year that Astra 1N was only temporary at 28.2 degrees east before it moves to 19.2 degrees east‚ mean that once Astra 2E is successfully launched and operational then SES-Astra will waste no time whatsoever in transferring Astra 1N frequencies/channels to Astra 2E and then quickly moving Astra 1N from 28.2 to 19.2 degrees satellite position,‚ Rob's "World Exclusive News"‚ yesterday that Astra 2C and Astra 1L frequencies/channels will be transferred to Astra 1N in the third quarter of 2013 is testament to this happening quickly, and what then of Astra's 2C and 1L, Astra 2C should go to 28.2 degrees east which was it's originally planned destination because by now 28.2 degrees east is also shy of active and stand by satellites, Astra 1L will remain at 19.2 degrees east as a back up satellite, for extra new traffic, and for existing Ka-Band traffic. Only once Astra 2C is moved fropm 19.2 to 28.2 degrees east will Astra 2A be removed of it's frequencies/channels and then moved to another satellite position, this most probably happening in late 2013/early 2014.
The informations contained in the above article are part confirmed fact informations and part unconfirmed speculations, as is the way with everything satellite related, the confirmed fact informations are correct at the time of publishing and Rob cannot be held responsible for changes to‚ the confirmed fact informations that happen thereafter.
It's Chriiiiistmaaaaaas, let the alcohol drinking begin and let the‚ "SES-Astra‚ Betzdorf Space Shuffle" commence! LOL!
UPDATE 21/12/12 at 20.15 - Astra Satellites - Rob's Satellite TV, "World Exclusive", remember where you read it first
Astra 1N, Astra 2C, and Astra 1L "World Exclusive News" - After the Astra 1N satellite has been moved from 28.2 degrees east to it's new satellite position of 19.2 degrees east there will be two satellites which are currently located at 19.2 degrees east which will be cleared of their frequencies/channels, both the Astra 2C and Astra 1L satellites' frequencies/channels will be transferred to the Astra 1N satellite in the third quarter of 2013
Astra 2E News - I have in previous posts been saying that there was the probability/possibility that the scheduled launch for the Astra 2E satellite would be delayed and this is now so, Astra 2E was supposedly to have been launched in March 2013, the new scheduled launch date for Astra 2E could now be June 2013
Coming soon (over the weekend) more on all this in the form of one of the legend Rob's now legendary "essays"!
UPDATE 17/12/12 - RT HD -‚ "RT HD" is now carrying regular scheduled programmes following it's period of testing, "RT HD" is now a full simulcast of "RT SD" programming on Eutelsat 28A at 28.5 degrees east, frequency for this channel is in my frequencies pages
UPDATE 13/12/12 at 22.50 - Astra 2B to Astra 2F -‚ So following the announcement that the rest of Astra 1N channels will moving to Astra 2E (not Astra 2F ) in the middle of 2013 we have a little clarity on that particular aspect of the‚ "28 degrees east" satellite‚ changes but what about the other changes and happenings which will be coming? Firstly I must begin by saying that the following is not concerning the BBC/ITV/CH4/CH5 changes, the following is mainly concerning Sky channels and services reception. I have told you a very long time ago that Astra 2B channels were going to be moved to Astra 2F and so far Astra 2B's West African Beam channels have moved to Astra 2F, Astra 2B's European Beam channels are scheduled to follow and in reality they were expected to have been moved by now but as yet this is not so, there is a widely held consensus that the 16th of December is the scheduled transfer date for the rest of 2B to 2F and this could indeed be the case or it could also be the case that the rest of 2B will not transfer to 2F until January 2013, Christmas is nearly upon us which makes time and date more important than ever but one thing is for certain is that the rest of 2B will go to 2F soon, this change also brings some problems regarding the European Beam because whereas Astra 2B has two European beams (one is more Southerly focused and one is more Northerly focused) Astra 2F only has the one European Beam which naturally has some differences but the 2F European Beam would seem to be more focused on the Southerly rather than the Northerly so in‚ areas like Sothern Spain and The Canaries there will be a benefit because if you can get the Southerly 2B EB but cannot get the Northerly 2B EB then once 2B channels move to 2F you should be able to receive all of Astra 2B's channels, the opposite can be expected in the‚ Scandinavian area who could be most affected by these moves, they receive a stronger Northerly 2B EB than the Southerly 2B EB so when 2B goes to 2F they could experience some problems, as I said Astra 2B will have moved to Astra 2F by January's end at the latest. So what else?, what about the other "28 degrees east" stuff? More will be coming on that in the coming days! Don't you know it is bedtime?! LOL!
UPDATE 12/12/12 at 18.15 - The rest of Astra 1N is going to Astra 2E - It is officially confirmed -‚ According to the BBC their services will move from Astra 1N to Astra 2E in the summer of 2013, the following is from the BBC's Alix Pryde Blog "As a result of SES¢â‚¬â„¢s fleet replacement programme, BBC services will move in the second half of 2013." and also the following‚ "Astra 1N is due to take up its permanent position in 2013 (19‚°East), so the BBC¢â‚¬â„¢s services will move to their new permanent home on Astra 2E (28.2‚°East) when that becomes operational. SES expects Astra 2E to launch in Q2 2013, so we currently expect to transition BBC services to it during summer 2013.". So Astra 2F was in fact "missing a foot", Astra 2F cannot go "below the knee" if you know what I mean, Astra 2F cannot go below the 10.950 frequency which means that a viewing extension is given to those who can receive the Astra 1N Beam but cannot get the Astra 2F UK Beam, the BBC/ITV/Channel 4‚ family of channels which are‚ on frequencies that are below 10.950 which have not been moved to Astra 2F will stay on Astra 1N for a little while longer, Summer 2013, it will be a little like the Olympics are here again except that in some areas they won't be here or there! I am sure that you are still with me! LOL!
12/12/12 at 1415 - "HiTV" has appeared on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 12.523 H, sR 27.500, FEC 2/3, according to the on screen ident/card "programmes start at 8.00pm"
12/12/12 at 12.12! (yes really!) - The following is "Astra 2E" related, we know already that "Astra 2E" is due to be launched in the second quarter of 2013 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, if you would like to see the launch site and it's facilities (and it is a very large complex) there is a very interesting 45 minute documentary in the English language called "Tour of the Baikonur Cosmodrome" that you can watch on the free to air "RTG TV" (Russian Travel Guide TV) channel, unfortunately "RTG TV" is available on the Eutelsat Hotbird satellite at 13 degrees east, it is not available from the 28.2/28.5 degrees east satellites so that rules out my well known website "troll" and forum pontificator "M60" from watching it as he has only got a "Freesat" receiver and who has only recently discovered that 19.2 degrees actually exists, no doubting before he found that out he was one of those people who thought that "Sky" was and is "Satellite" (Where do these people come from? Is there some sort of "Roswell" type experiment going on that breeds "trolls" that think they know it all but in actual fact they know feck all? It would seem so‚ because everything that this website says is so plainly alien to them! LOL!‚ For everyone else except "M60" you can see‚ "Tour of the Baikonur Cosmodrome" today (Wednesday) at 1615 UK time and tomorrow (Thursday) at 0615 and 2015 UK time,‚ the Hotbird frequency for "RTG TV" is 11.623 V, SR 27.500, FEC 3/4 and please be sure to select English as the audio track otherwise you could be hearing it in Russian or Turkish. If you want to look at the painting go elsewhere, if you want to know about the painting stick with this website!‚ Rob's Satellite TV, Information not Decoration!
UPDATE 11/12/12 at 22.06 - BBC 1 HD -‚ The two channels named as "8901" and "8911" which are carrying test transmissions of "BBC 1 HD" which are‚ respectively‚ the new "BBC 1 Scotland HD" and "BBC 1 Wales HD" channels to be are now carrying now and next programme information for these two channels, these two regional versions of "BBC 1 HD" are expected to be officially launching very soon and I am thinking a 1st of January 2013 launch‚ is probably probable! And‚ maybe even an early pre Christmas present from the BBC of the actual regional channels actually testing? "BBC 1 Scotland HD" (8901) and "BBC 1 Wales" (8911) are on 11.023 H, SR 23.000, FEC 2/3, DVB-S2 8PSK‚ on the Astra satellite at 28.2 degrees east, remember where you read it first,‚ do not be fooled by the "finks" who do not "link" on the forums
UPDATE 11/12/12 at 22.06 - STV - The channel named as "10225" which is the STV +1 channel is now carrying now and next programme information, there is a long awaited expectancy of "STV" officially launching "STV +1" and "STV HD" soon ‚ following a resolution agreement with "ITV", both of these channels have been testing for a very, very long time and the appearance of this now/next data albeit currently only on "STV +1" and not "STV HD" makes me think that they are readying for said official launch of +1 and HD channel versions of "STV", likely date for this could be the 1st of January 2013, "STV+1" (10225) is on 10.906 V, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6, "STV HD" (3855) is on‚ 10.936 V, SR 23.000, FEC 8/9, DVB-S2 QPSK, both are on the Astra satellite at 28.2 degrees east‚ , remember where you read it first, do not be fooled by the "finks" who do not "link" on the forums
UPDATE 11/12/12 at 22.06 - All radio channels from 11.223 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 are now on their new frequency of 12.606 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east
UPDATE 09/12/12 - Astra 2E - Could the launch of Astra 2E be delayed? -‚ Astra 2E (not 2F) is a very important satellite for the 28.2 degrees east satellite position and more specifically for the UK Beam that it carries, there is rumour/speculation that Astra 2E not Astra 2F will now take the Astra 1N frequencies/channels which are below the 10.950 frequency range, this includes the BBC/ITV/CH4 family of channels,‚ the Astra 1N frequencies above 10.950 have already been transferred to Astra 2F. Astra 2E was‚ scheduled for launch aboard a Proton launcher in March 2013 from Baikonur, in Kazakhstan but following recent developments regarding a launch that did not go to plan then there is the possibility of a delay to Astra 2E's launch, on Saturday (Kazakhstan time) another satellite for a non UK market (Yamal 402) was launched‚ aboard a Proton launcher from Balkonur but suffered problems during the separation phase following the launch, this release of the satellite concerned happened far too early, four minutes early in fact, this is a long time in space time (you have only to watch the film "Back to the Future" to know this!), seriously this is a big, big problem, there have been problems with Proton launches before, there will need to be investigations and I would expect a temporary hold on upcoming Proton/Baikonur‚ launches‚ until they fix this problem which could and probably will put a delay on Astra 2E's launch. So‚ "SES-Astra" have a decision to make, should they sit it out and wait for the Proton/Baikonur situation to be fixed which would most certainly mean a delayed launch or do they look elsewhere for a launch, "SES-Astra" also launches it's satellites from Kourou in French Guiana aboard an Arianespace launcher, theoretically they could move the launch there, Astra 2F was recently launched from there and "SES-Astra" have had a lot of previous launches from there too, the problem with moving the launch to French Guiana is that there is a launch queue, what I mean is that there are many, many satellites around the world and more and more new satellites are being launched for these satellite positions around the world, as I said there are launch queues and you cannot just jump the queue and of course there are all the logistical complications involved too, we await further developments
UPDATE 07/12/12 - Astra 1N to Astra 2F - "Where we at?" -‚ Before you read this post please read the two posts below.
The Astra 1N to Astra 2F moves/changes is currently a "funny/crazy" situation or so it seems, it just does not seem to be sitting correctly (a little like Astra 2F itelf when it arrived at 28.2 degrees east!), some frequencies/channels have moved and some frequencies/channels have not moved, but why is that, Astra 2F should theoretically be taking/have taken all of Astra 1N's traffic, there is some speculation that Astra 2F cannot go below the 10.950 frequency range and that this is why only Astra 1N's frequencies above this have been transferred and not Astra 1N's frequencies below this and because of this Astra 1N has to wait until Astra 2E's launch in the second quarter of 2013 and it's subsequent testing and arrival at 28.2 degrees east before it can be cleared of the rest of it's frequencies/channels and moved to it's original designated destination of 19.2 degrees east, this may be true about Astra 2F's lack of ability to go below 10.950 and if it is correct then we are most probably looking at the Astra 1N frequency/channel clearout and Astra 2E's commercial operatability at 28.2 degrees east of the middle to the end of May 2013 (just remember where you read it first, again!), to use the words of "SES-Astra" this will be after Astra 2F has‚ "successfully completed its in-orbit testing and is now fully operational and in commercial service at the orbital neighbourhood of 28.2/28.5 degrees East.", mmm, the middle to the end of May 2013, and not forgetting that then Astra 1N would need to be moved to 19.2 degreees east and become operational which would most probably take unti the middle to the end of June 2013 to be completed, all of the above could be true and will happen but what if .......?
Astra 2F was quickly/urgently needed at 28.2 degrees east for a variety of reasons, the West Africa Beam footprint for‚ the "Ghanaian" Pay TV operator "Multi TV" and wider coverage of West and South Africa which means much more income for "SES-Astra", the Ka Band Beam for "SES-Broadband" for France which was originally scheduled/intended to launch in November 2012 (I think this has now indeed recently launched, can anyone in France confirm this?), the Astra 2B to Astra 2F moves/changes, and of course the big, big transfer of all Astra 1N frequencies/channels to Astra 2F so that Astra 1N can be moved to 19.2 degrees east where it is urgently needed, whilst it may be true that Astra 2F cannot go below 10.950 I do find it difficult to believe that this would be the case in this age of moving satellites around the satellite arc at will and whim that "SES-Astra" would not give 2F full and completely flexible frequency bands, in fact "SES-Astra" do have many satellite position moves and changes lined up for the very near future, I won't go into the details of all these moves now as in this instance I am specifically talking about 2F and 1N but let's just say that this is indeed another reason of seemed urgency for "SES-Astra" to resolve this Astra 2F/Astra 1N issue as quickly as possible, so what can and/or do "SES-Astra" do about resolving this 2F/1N issue as quickly as possible, as I see it "SES-Astra" have four possibilities, in no particular order of preference or recommendation the first possibility is assuming that Astra 2F cannot go below 10.950 then the waiting for Astra 2E possibility that I outlined somewhere above(!) is a possibility (I think that possibly I am being a little too tongue in cheek with the possibles, is that possible?! LOL!), whilst the first possibility is feasible it does mean that 1N would not get to 19.2 degrees east quickly, the second possibility is that Astra 2F can and does indeed go below 10.950 and the remaining 1N frequencies/channels will be transferred to 2F this month or in January 2013, the third possibility and "SES-Astra" might take me up on this possibility as‚ I am assuming (sic) that they do/have read this site‚ is again assuming that 2F cannot go below 10.950, whilst it is‚ theoretical that "SES-Astra" can and‚ could use the UK beam for/on any frequency in any band (any band above 10.950 that is!) it is theoretically possible that they also cannot,‚ as I see it the remaining Astra 1N frequencies to be transferred and which are all below 10.950 are a total of 16 transponders/frequencies and‚ by my reckoning there are 17 available transponders/frequencies above 10.950 that "SES-Astra"‚ could utilize‚ (I know that one or two have some sort of tests and/or data services on them but they can easily be got rid of elsewhere either temporarily or permanently, when needs must so to speak, priorities and all that jazz!), these 17 above 10.950 transponders/frequencies could quite easily accommodate the remaining 16 below 10.950 1N transponders/frequencies if that is what is needed to be done, and assuming that "SES-Astra" can use the UK Beam on any frequency they choose to use then it would not be a big deal for them but let's also assume that‚ "SES-Astra" would want to keep the UK Beams to/on/in the 10.700-11.200 frequency range then it is wise to‚ note that 4 of the 16 remaining 1N transponders/frequencies carry encrypted television channels while 12 carry free to air television channels so that would mean that only 12 of the remaining 16 1N transponders/frequencies theoretically would need to be on a UK Beam as the other 4 are encrypted anyway so it would not really matter if they were on the UK Beam or the Pan European Beam, as you can gather I am trying to cover everything here and as I see it there would just about be enough room for‚ 12 transponders/frequencies to go somewhere in between 10.950 and 11.200, the other 4 encrypted television transponders/frequencies would naturally go on frequencies above 11.720, this third while the least probable of the three I have given you so far but what I will add is that despite the following "quote" which was taken from a more complete reply on the"SES-Astra" Facebook page earlier today (07/11/12) "The channel transfer is ongoing and will have no implications for viewers in the UK since the TV programs shifted to ASTRA 2F operate on the same frequencies and are broadcast for the UK", now I will dissect this quote, the UK satellite receiver market is not the same as for instance the German satellite receiver market, in Germany free to air satellite receivers rule as a rule (!), they are the mass majority, in the UK "Sky" and "Freesat" receivers rule as rule, they are the mass majority, what I am saying is that‚ ‚ at the consumer/user end‚ of using free to air receivers (Germany)‚ frequencies are a very important aspect of things, cannot do anything without frequencies whereas at the consumer/user end of using "Sky" and "Freesat" receivers (UK) frequencies do not mean shit, consumers/users in the UK do not have anything to do with frequencies and please no offence to anyone but it has been so evident regarding the 2F frequencies that have been activated that many people with "Sky" or "Freesat" receivers know their EPG channel list numbers but regarding the frequencies they do not know the‚ what, where, and how e.t.c. as I said please no offence anyone, the point I am making is that The UK's "Sky" and "Freesat" receivers remain the same chanenls numbers even if the frequencies of those channels were changed daily and this means that today's (07/12/12) "SES-Astra" Facebook page reply and the "quote" I took from that reply has a different meanng if I quote it now‚ "The channel transfer will have no implications for viewers in the UK since the TV programs shifted to ASTRA 2F operate on the same frequencies and are broadcast for the UK", as I said, if "SES-Astra" were to change frequencies daily‚ The channel transfer would have no implications for viewers in the UK since the TV programs are broadcast for the UK and the UK uses "Sky" and "Freesat" channel lists not frequency based receivers, for the majority of UK viewers, nothing changes when frequency changes! And let me tell you that if "SES-Astra" wanted to change frequencies there would be nothing at all that anyone could do to stop them, anyway the third option‚ does mean a "little" extra work for "SES-Astra" but what the heck, it is a new year coming, and they love it really, but what is the fourth option I hear you ask?‚ The fourth option is for "SES-Astra" to give me a job and I will sort the bloody lot of it out for them! LOL!‚ I wonder if "SES-Astra" are still having their Christmas party, I could do with some Christmas cheer/beer after writing this and the other bloody essay's this evening! LOL!‚ But again, just remember where you read it first, again, again! Rob's, always giving you the complete picture
UPDATE 07/12/12 - Astra 2B to Astra 2F - "Where we at?" -‚ The Astra 2B to Astra 2F satellite moves/changes which I told you a very long time ago was going to be happening‚ has seen some activity of late.‚ some doubted what I said at the time that this 2B to 2F change would be happening‚ (nothing new there then!)‚ but happening it most certainly is,‚ no doubt the doubters (!) were in their infinite wisdom (sic) applying the "Alphabet Rule", A comes before B, blah, blah ......, I say to that that A before B except when it is F!, LOL!, Anyway I digress,‚ Astra 2B's African Beam frequencies/channels were moved to Astra 2F on the 27th of November and it is expected that Astra 2B's Pan European frequencies will follow to Astra 2F very soon, the original "SES-Astra" plan for Astra 2B's move to Astra 2F was for this to have been completely completed (!) by the end of December this year, I will add that‚ the information/dates/times posted on this website were correct at the time of posting but‚ held responsible for any changes to information/dates/times that happen thereafter I cannot be, this is the nature of the new satellite business and‚ of course the one week launch delay of Astra 2F created many problems for "SES-Astra" and for this website too, nothing seems to have gone to plan/original timetable for "SES-Astra" regarding Astra 2F, if this pre launch delay‚ (and also the probable testing delay) had not occurred then this Astra 2B to Astra 2F move would have been completed by now but now‚ we find ourselves in the second week of December, Christmas is coming, Santa is coming but is Santa coming to "SES-Astra" or will they be working still? Rob thinks that they should/would welcome some well deserved Christmas cheer/beer! But I digress again, following the 27th of November Africa Beam moves there was also some activity at "SES-Astra" (the 28.2 satellite position) on the evening of the 29th of November/the morning of the 30th of November which I thought was either the rest of 2B to 2F and/or the start of 1N to 2F but as I found out later this was not so hence my not posting about this activity (though it is still bugging me as to what they were doing that night, maybe it was their Christmas party and someone got into the control room! Have "SES-Astra" already had their Christmas cheer/beer?! It would seem that I have but I promise you that I have not!!) and as it did no happen then then it means that it is still to happen, it is looking a little late for a December completion although there is still time for this to happen but if it does not happen this month then a‚ January 2013 completion is a certainty. Just remember where you read it first, again!‚ Rob's, always giving you the complete picture
UPDATE 07/12/12 - Astra 2F -‚ This today from the "SES-Astra" Facebook page - "We'd like to respond to your questions relating to the current channel shifts at 28.2 degrees East and the footprint of ASTRA 2F. The UK channels are currently shifted from ASTRA 2B and ASTRA 1N to ASTRA 2F which has been launched recently and is operational now. ASTRA 2F is part of our fleet replacement programme at 28.2 degrees East. The channel transfer is ongoing and will have no implications for viewers in the UK since the TV programs shifted to ASTRA 2F operate on the same frequencies and are broadcast for the UK. TV viewers outside the UK, however, may see an impact as they might no longer be able to receive the channels due to their transfer to a beam with a smaller footprint. This footprint meets the requirements of our customers, the broadcasters, who focus their program distribution on the UK where they have the programme rights.".
I think he means "Shifting" not "Shifted" or maybe he means "Shafted"?! LOL!
05/12/12 - "RT HD" which has been testing for a long time will officially launch on the 16th of December in HD on all satellites, the Eutelsat 28A 28.5 degrees east frequency is 11.223 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3, the channel is named "53148"
05/12/12 Radio channels which have moved/changed frequency at the 28.5 degrees east satellite position are "WRN Europe", "Insight Radio", "Family Radio", "Spectrum 1, "TWR", "Amrit Bani", "CC Radio", "Desi Radio", "Shop Radio" and "Rainbow Radio, all of these radio channels can now be found on 12.606 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3
05/12/12 - "Sailing 1" (11.222 H) and "Sailing 2" (12.643 V) have begun on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east, these channel's are expected to become the new "BT sports 1 and 2" channels, they are named as "52014" and "54350" respectively when you channel search, SR and FEC for both channels is 27.500 and 2/3
UPDATE 04/12/12 - Astra 2F - The following frequencies and channels have been moved to Astra 2F from Astra 1N.
10.964 H SR 22.000 FEC 5/6 (CH5/5USA/5*/Channel 5+1),
10.994 H SR 22.000 FEC 5/6 (ITV 1 Granada HD/ITV 1 Central South West SD/ITV 1 Anglia West SD/ITV 1 Meridian North SD/ITV 1 Yorkshire East SD/ITV 1+1 Yorkshire SD),
11.052 H SR 22.000 FEC 5/6 (ITV 1 Central South SD/ITV 1 Central East SD/ITV 1+1 Wales SD/ITV 1+1 Westcountry SD/ITV 1+1 Tyne Tees SD),
11.126 V SR 22.000 FEC 5/6 (Channel 4 HD/4Seven SD)
03/12/12 - "Pick TV", "Challenge TV", and "Sky News" are now available on the UK's "Freesat" receiver's EPG/channel list's, "Pick TV" is on 144, "Challenge TV" is on 145, and "Sky News" is on 202, this now means that you do not have to add these channels as "Non-Freesat Channels" and also as the channels are now in the main channel list it means that you have the full 7 day programme guide for these channels, if these three channels have not appeared on your "Freesat" chanenl list then you will have to do a new/first time installation of your "Freesat" receiver and then it should pick up these new channel additions, unfortunately the +1 versions of "Pick TV" and "Challenge TV" have not been added to "Freesat" and it looks like they won't be added at all so you will still have to "Add" these two channels
UPDATE 30/11/12 - Astra 2F - This from "SES-Astra" facebook page "Services are currently being transferred onto Astra 2F, BBC (Tp 2.061) has been migrated to 2F whereas Channel 5 (Tp 2.057), ITV (Tp's 2.059 and 2.063), and Channel 4 (Tp 2.068) will move to Astra 2F next Tuesday. This will then mark the completion of the transfer".
So confirmation of the 11.023 H, SR 23.000 FEC 2/3 DVB-S2 8PSK "8901" and "8911" (BBC 1 HD's) move to 2F
The frequencies and channels moving on Tuesday the 4th of December will be :-
10.964 H SR 22.000 FEC 5/6 (CH5/5USA/5*/Channel 5+1),
10.994 H SR 22.000 FEC 5/6 (ITV 1 Granada HD/ITV 1 Central South West SD/ITV 1 Anglia West SD/ITV 1 Meridian North SD/ITV 1 Yorkshire East SD/ITV 1+1 Yorkshire SD),
11.052 H SR 22.000 FEC 5/6 (ITV 1 Central South SD/ITV 1 Central East SD/ITV 1+1 Wales SD/ITV 1+1 Westcountry SD/ITV 1+1 Tyne Tees SD),
11.126 V SR 22.000 FEC 5/6 (Channel 4 HD/4Seven SD)
UPDATE 27/11/12 - ITV HD -‚ The "ITV"transponder/frequency of 10.936 V, SR 23.000, FEC 8/9 DVB-S2 QPSK on the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degreees east has now added an encrypted channel which is named as "4041", could this channel be for the long awaited and soon to be expected new"UTV HD" channel, it could be going either there or it could be going on the recently relabelled and encryption flag removed "20780" channel on 11.052 H, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6 which is currently carrying a copy of ITV 1 HD London
26/11/12 I see that the popular "BBC" series "Merlin" is to end after the current series, I wonder if "Merlin" saw that coming! LOL!
26/11/12 I have noticed that The "Setanta Ireland" channel on 11.680 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 on the Eutelsat E28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east has been showing "Italian Serie A" football live and free to view on the UK Sky free to view card every Sunday at 1355 UK time, if you like your "Serie A" then check out "Setanta Ireland", this is only at 1355 Sundays, I have not noted anything else of a "live" nature free to view on this channel
26/11/12 - "MTV Trax" which ahs been free to air for a long time on the Astra satellite at 28.2 degrees east frequency of 11.895 V has now been encrypted
UPDATE 21/1112 - Astra 2F -‚ There are no further new happenings happening! I am now going to call it a day, and night!
UPDATE 21/1112 - Astra 2F -‚ Another large and this time longer signal spike noted on 11.141 H, still of UK Beam type spikes, otherwise 11.141 H is a very low signal when not being spiked! Anyone want to spike a drink for me please?! LOL!
UPDATE 21/1112 - Astra 2F -‚ It is currently mid afternoon and I have yet again just received one hell of a signal spike on 11.141 H, a UK Beam this spike has got to be, this frequency is looking like a most likely candidate for "UK Beam" frequency testing in my opinion
UPDATE 21/1112 - Astra 2F -‚ I have just received one hell of a signal spike on 11.141 H, a UK Beam type of spike is how I would describe it best
UPDATE 21/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ Now that‚ "SES-Astra" have confirmed‚ that "Astra 2F" is‚ "fully operational and in commercial service" what has changed, nothing has changed regarding the frequency/channel changeover from Astra 1N to Astra 2F, as I write this there have been no moves/changes that have occurred, what I have since yesterday observed taking place are signal tests, these signal tests are still active as I write, these are purely signal tests/data transmissions, they are not TV or Radio channels so no there is need for you to check these frequencies as there is nothing to receive on your satellite receiver, I am currently receiving signal tests/data transmissions on 11.008 V, 11.141 H, 11.171 H, 11.186 V, and 11.954 H, some of these frequencies are stronger than others, as I said, nothing is resolvable with these frequencies on a satellite receiver but what I will say is that judging by the quickness of these tests/frequencies being activated then I think it will not be too long before something more interesting happens, keep checking the site, as soon as anything happens it will be here but to my readers I ask that you to from time to time check your BBC/ITV/Astra 1N channels to see if there are any changes/differences and if there are please let me know, "SES-Astra" sometimes do stuff without telling us! There will be more to come from me before the day is out, P.S. I am getting all your e-mails and they will be answered but as you can appreciate I am currently "investigating" as the first priority
UPDATE 21/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ We now have confirmation from a press release issued today by "SES-Astra" that "Astra 2F"‚ has successfully completed its in-orbit testing and is now fully operational and in commercial service at the orbital neighbourhood of‚ 28.2/28.5 degrees east, this statement means that "Astra 2F" is now at 28.2 degrees east and ready and waiting for action, "Astra 2F" has‚ 48 Ku-band transponders which are for UK and Europe coverage, 12 Ku-band transponders which are for Sub-Saharan Africa coverage, and 3 Ka-band transponders for "SES Broadband" download speeds of up to 20 Mbps for France, the full press release can be found‚
HERE‚ , I will have more on this during the day, I am investigating this as we speak
UPDATE 20/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ I think it is safe to say that the‚ "Astra 2F" satellite is now at it's correct 28.2 degrees east satellite position, we now await further developments
UPDATE 20/11/12 - ITV HD -‚ The channel named as "7480" on the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degrees east frequency of 11.052 H, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6 which was showing "ITV 1 HD London"‚ has now been renamed as "20780", this channel is still showing "ITV 1 HD London" but has now also had it's soft encryption flag switched off which means it is now completely free to air
UPDATE 19/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ The‚ "Astra 2F" satellite will be in it's correct position imminently,‚ the moving of BBC/ITV e.t.c. channels from Astra 1N to Astra 2F will not be happening immediately when Astra 2F is in it's correct 28.2 position,‚ there will be a small period of testing before all that happens,‚ when this small period of testing commences then the frequency information will be posted here and I will hopefully be receiving a most welcome "deluge" of reception reports from my very kind reception reporters all over Europe, these reception reports will be posted on my "
Astra 2F Reception Reports" and "
Astra 2F Reception Maps" pages,‚ naturally when something "drastic" happens it will also be posted on this website. Nothing has happened to your channels yet, when it is imminent you will know about it here, there is speculation that the Astra 1N to Astra 2F channel switchover may not now happen until early December (unconfirmed), this is the nature of the satellite business, dates and plans very often do change, nothing is ever set in stone with these matters but rest assured that this website will give you all the latest happenings as they happen, but I will also remind you (it is common knowledge) that this website gives you the latest happenings before they happen too!
UPDATE 19/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ "Astra 2F" is now in the final stages of being positioned at 28.2 degrees east, there will be another update on Astra 2F later this evening
UPDATE 19/11/12 - RT HD -‚ "RT HD" which is Russia Today's English language news channel which started broadcasting in HD on 11.223 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east is testing, it is‚ carrying the "RT HD" coming soon promo/trailer which ios thwe same as is on "RT HD" on Astra 19.2 degrees east and "RT HD" on Eutelsat Hotbird 13 degrees east,‚ "RT HD" on "Eutelsat 28A" has the label "53148" when you search/scan/store this channel on your receiver
19/11/12 The UK's "ITV" channels are getting a new on screen look from January 2013, new more colourful logos/idents‚ and the main "ITV 1" channel will be called simply "ITV".‚ I wish they would change some of their programmes too, endless "Frost", "Midsomer", "Morse", e.t.c. is getting very repetitive now! And as I am talking about "ITV" I feel obliged to repeat,‚ endless "Frost", "Midsomer", "Morse", e.t.c. is getting very repetitive now! The End or is it The Endless! LOL!
UPDATE 16/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ "Astra 2F" is currently (at the time of writing) at the 33.0 degrees east satellite position and it is moving along very nicely, soon Astra 2F will be three degrees from it's final destination and as "The Three Degrees" once sang, "Take Good Care of Yourself" Astra 2F! Did "The Three Degrees" sing "Year of Decision" too? How very apt!
16/11/12 "RT HD" which is Russia Today's English language news channel has started broadcasting in HD on 11.223 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east, "RT HD" has the label "53148" when you search/scan/store this channel on your receiver and and is carrying regular programming (albeit with sporadic sound cut outs) unlike "RT HD" on Astra 19.2 degrees east and "RT HD" on Eutelsat Hotbird 13 degrees east
16/11/12 As is common for this time of year (Christmas must be coming again!) music channel "Bliss" is now a 24 hours a day Christmas music channel,‚ currently playing‚ as I check this channel is "Slade" with "Merry Christmas Everybody", one difference this year (I think) is that "Bliss" is now called "Blissmas" (how original), "Blissmas" is ‚ on 11.307 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east,
UPDATE 16/11/12 - Playboy TV HD -‚ "53585" (Playboy TV HD) which‚ is showing colour bars with "PLAYBOY TV HD" writing going across the screen from right to left now has EPG information which means one or both of the following - 1) we could soon be seeing movement on this channel and 2) you could soon be seeing double while ‚ moving to this channel! LOL!. (I must apologise if I have offended any of my lady readers, your time will come too! LOL!).‚ "53585" (Playboy TV HD) is‚ on the Eutelsat satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 11.390 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3, So I can now say‚ HD "titties" here we come sooner! LOL!
16/11/12 "54350" on 12.643 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 on the Eutelsat satellite at 28.5 degrees east is "black screen" only but it is worth keeping an eye on, I thought I had gone blind while checking this channel! (see above! LOL!)
UPDATE 14/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ "Astra 2F" is currently (at the time of writing) at the 35.7 degrees east satellite position and it is moving along nicely, arrival at 28.2 degrees east is predicted to be on the 19th of November
UPDATE 13/11/12 - BBC 1 HD -‚ Two versions of "BBC 1 HD England"‚ have now appeared on‚ the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degrees east frequency of 11.023 H, SR 23.000, FEC 2/3, DVB-S2 8PSK, they are labelled as "8901" and "8911", I would expect "BBC 1 HD Scotland" to appear on label "8901" and "BBC 1 HD Wales" to appear on label "8911", also expect these two channels to be correctly named and added to "Sky" and "Freesat" EPG channel list's in the near future
UPDATE 11/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ Now that "Astra 2F" is on the move and as it has now been officially confirmed that "Astra 2F" will (barring any last minute glitches) be operational at the 28.2 degrees east satellite position later this month what comes next? All "Astra 1N" channels should have been transferred to "Astra 2F" by end of this month and then "Astra 1N" will be empty and free to go to it's originally intended satellite position of 19.2 degrees east, transfer of "Astra 1N" to 19.2 degrees east will most probably have happened‚ by mid to late January 2013, now this is where it gets a little confusing, I am expecting the all‚ "Astra 2B" channels will also be transferred to "Astra 2F", the‚ "Astra 2B" satellite which according to "SES-Astra" is also supposedly going to 19.2 degrees east should have been emptied of it's channels‚ sometime in December,‚ the transfer date of when "Astra 2B" goes to 19.2 degrees east is currently not clear but there are other factors to consider which also come into play when talking about the "Astra 2B" move and most notably it is "Astra 2C", I told you this would be a little confusing, "Astra 2C" is at the 19.2 degrees east satellite position but‚ according to "SES-Astra" it's rightful home should be 28.2 degrees east and "Astra 2C" is supposedly to be transferred to the 28.2 degrees east satellite position in the future.So, some questions, After the "Astra 1N" move, Which satellite do "SES-Astra" move first, "Astra 2C" or‚ "Astra 2B"? And do "SES-Astra" move "Astra 2C" and "Astra 2B" before or after the even newer "Astra 2E" satellite for 28.2 degrees satellite is launched around the expected March 2013 launch date? I know what my trusty "crystal ball" is telling me but that is for another day, after writing this I now need a beer!! LOL!!‚ Rob's Satellite TV, the forward thinking satellite website which always gives you something different and colourful and always giving you "Food for Thought".
UPDATE 11/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ "ASTRA 2F" has begun it's move from 43.5 to 28.5 degrees east, the end is nigh!! LOL!!
NB - ‚ When I say "end is nigh" I mean the long wait for 2F at 28.2E is nearly over not that your channels are nearly gone.
UPDATE 09/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ "ASTRA 2F successfully launched and will enter commercial service later this month", those words were contained in a "SES-Astra" press release issued earlier today, this I believe is official confirmation of what I have been telling you already, here is some more from that press release "SES' 52nd satellite, ASTRA 2F, was successfully launched on an Ariane 5 rocket on 29 September and is presently undergoing in-orbit testing. The satellite carries Ku- and Ka-band payloads for the delivery of high-performance Direct-to-Home (DTH) and next generation broadband services. It is the first of a three-satellite investment programme (ASTRA 2E, 2F and 2G), that provides replacement and growth capacity for the UK and Ireland at the 28.2/28.5 degrees East neighbourhood. The new satellites in this neighbourhood will, as of October 2013, use additional frequency spectrum granted to SES by Media Broadcast. The new ASTRA 2F spacecraft provides Ku-band capacity for UK / Ireland DTH as well as for pan-European services and for Sub-Saharan Africa. Its Ka-band payload will allow SES Broadband Services to support download speeds of up to 20 Mbps. The spacecraft is expected to enter commercial service later this month". Rob's Satellite TV, It's not Satellite TV, it's Rob's Satellite TV.
UPDATE 08/11/12 - Astra 2F -‚ The‚ provisional date for the moving of "Astra 1N" channels to "Astra 2F" is the 23rd - 26th of November, these moves will include the "BBC" and "ITV" channels, if this news is correct it means that "Astra 2F" is expected to be moving soon
08/11/12 "Cinemoi" is now free to air on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 11.222 H, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 but make the most of it, apparently it is closing down next week, "Cinemoi" now only broadcasts between 1900 and 2300 UK time daily
08/11/12 Earlier today a test card appeared earlier labelled as "52112" on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 11.261 H, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 but this evening label and test card have been removed
UPDATE 06/11/12 - Eutelsat 28A -‚ Some probable channel moves on the "Eutelsat 28A" satellite at 28.5 degrees east, channels which are on already on 11.661 H have now appeared on other frequencies, MTA inernational and TBN are now on 11.259 V and CCTV News, God Channel, INI TV, UMP Movies, Prime TV, and Live Roulette‚ are now on 12.643 H. Call me suspicious (I havebeen called a lot worse!) but if the intention of "Eutelsat" is to clear out 11.661 H and the fact that 11.642 V has been vacant for a very long time then that would leave a nice little gap between 11.623 H and 11.681 V for "Eutelsat" to play around with the "Eutelsat 28B" satellite, it has been evident this past week that "Eutelsat"are playing around with "Eutelsat 28B" and they have been seemingly squeezing in the frequencies too, 11.640 V and 11.656 V immediately spring to mind! As I have said previously, Could we now be witnessing a new worried 28.5 degrees east "Eutelsat" especially in light of the current ‚ SES-Astra/Eutelsat‚ frequency "dispute"
UPDATE 06/11/12 - Eutelsat 28B -‚ The "Eutelsat 28B" satellite test‚ frequency of 11.646 V at 28.5 degrees east position has yesterday been switched off, the frequency details were 11.656 V, SR 4.600, FEC‚ 5/6 DVB-S2 QPSK‚ and it was carrying the following channels - "Fadak TV", "SRI TV", "LL TV Channel", "AB Channel", "Italiamia", "Radio Jeans", and "Radio Expert"
01/11/12 Welsh language channel "S4C" is considering the "Red Button" addition of English language voiceovers to some of it's programmes according to their chief executive, "S4C" who today celebrated 30 years since their launch currently only offers an English commentary of some of it's live sports and has English subtitling of many of it's programmes say added English would bring higher audiences and extra advertising revenues, and here is a little "S4C" tip for you which I have told you about a long time ago, if you are using either a UK "Sky" or "Freesat" dedicated receiver and you would like to watch the‚ current "S4C" English commentary when it is broadcast without having to go the "Red Button" route then all you have to do is set your receivers audio language menu option to Welsh (yes I said Welsh not English), doing this means that whenever "S4C" broadcast in English your receiver will automatically switch to the English soundtrack without the need for "Red Button" pushing! Remember, Welsh not English for English not Welsh!
Rob's Satellite TV, full of good information and bright ideas
UPDATE 01/11/12 - BBC 1 HD -‚ "SES-Astra" have today confirmed the renewing of a multiple transponder contract with the "BBC", this deal is for six transponders, this news confirms what we already knew from the "BBC" regarding the switch off of 11.954 H and the recent switch on of 11.023 H, 11.023 H being the new sixth transponder which is for the soon to arrive new BBC 1 HD Nations (BBC 1 HD Wales and‚ BBC 1 HD Scotland) and probably sometime in the later future "BBC News" channel. One other thing of note is that while‚ there has already been some action regarding the switching on of 11.023 H and the test card currently broadcasting this‚ frequency has already been added to the "Network" so I think that we can expect some more "action" here very soon
UPDATE 31/10/12 - Eutelsat -‚ A new frequency has been activated at the Eutelsat 28.5 degrees east position, the frequency is 11.656 V, SR 4.600, FEC 5/6 DVB-S2 QPSK‚ and it is carrying the following channels - "Fadak TV", "SRI TV", "LL TV Channel", "Italiamia", "AB Channel", "Italiamia", "Radio Jeans", and "Radio Expert", my suspicions are that this is a "test" transmission coming from the recently arrived‚ "Eutelsat 28B" (ex W2M) which is a back up satellite for "Eutelsat 28A" (which from time to time suffers some problems),‚ the unusual frequency, symbol rate and channel package would suggest that this is so, another suspicion that has crossed my mind is that in light of the recent developments concerning the Eutelsat/Astra frequency dispute at "28" degrees east which has the real possibility of "Eutelsat" losing two thirds of it's frequency allocation at 28.5 degrees east to "SES-Astra" begs this question, Could "Eutelsat" be testing how many frequencies they can squeeze together into a small spectrum of frequency band? This frequency of 11.656 V is mighty "close" in satellite terms to the currently active 11.661 H and is also not a million miles away from the albeit currently inactive 11.642 V,‚ and one other (possibly important) thing to consider is the possibility of "sitting", Could "Eutelsat" sit on frequencies the same as if memory serves me correctly previously happened way back when these two last had a "fight" over "28" degrees east? That 11.656 V frequency is a "SES-Astra" frequency at 19.2 degrees east and if "SES-Astra" did get the 28.5 degrees east "Eutelsat" frequencies then "SES-Astra" might adopt it's 19.2 degrees east frequency plan as best it could, it already does this on the frequencies it currently has at 28.2 degrees east which are the same as the equivalent 19.2 degrees east frequencies. Maybe all this is something and maybe all this is nothing but just remember where you read it first!
UPDATE 31/10/12 - BBC 1 HD -‚ The new BBC 1 HD Nations frequency of 11.023 H, SR 23.000, FEC 2/3, DVB-S2 8PSK on Astra 1N at 28.2 degrees east has been switched on, there is one channel currently testing which is named as "TEST" which is showing colour bars with scrolling "Ident Mode" in the centre of the screen, this frequency is expected to carry‚ "BBC 1 HD Wales" and‚ "BBC 1 HD Scotland"
UPDATE 31/10/12 - BBC Interactive Streams -‚ The‚ BBC Interactive Streams and BBC Radio frequency of 11.954 H has now been switched off, the only one remaining‚ single BBC Interactive Screen (following BBC cuts) can now be found as the channel numbered "6390" on 10.773 H, all BBC radio channels are now shared between frequencies 10.788 V and 10.803 H, all BBC channels are now broadcasting from Astra 1N at 28.2 east and are now on the UK beam which means parts of Europe can no longer receive them, this 11.954 H closure is another one of my "predictions" that came true.
31/10/12‚ A new channel has started on the Eutelsat satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 11.390 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3, this channel is called "53585" and is showing colour bars with "PLAYBOY TV HD" writing going across the screen from right to left, HD "titties" here we come!
31/10/12 "BBC iPlayer" can now be accessed from your "Sky UK" receiver
UPDATE 30/10/12 - BBC Radio Moves -‚ And the remaining BBC Radio channels on Astra 28.2 degrees east have now been moved, all the BBC Radio channels on 10.788 V are now correctly named, all BBC Radio channels on 11.954 H have now been removed, all that now remains on 11.954 H are the BBC Interactive Streams which will be switched off by the 31st of October, only one‚ single BBC Interactive Screen will then remain and that channel can be found as the channel numbered "6390" on 10.773 H
UPDATE 30/10/12 - BBC Radio Moves -‚ At the time of me writing this BBC Radio channels on Astra 28.2 degrees east are finally in the process of being moved, all the BBC Radio channels on 10.803 H are now correctly named, their equivalents on 11.954 H are now numbered, expect all the BBC Radio channels on 10.788 V to be correctly named imminently and then all channels on 11.954 H will be switched off on the 31st of October
28/10/12 - Anyone who only has "28" degrees east satellite reception who has an interest in Germany and/or wants to see some of "DW-TV" English language programmes will be interested to know that "My Channel" on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 11.343 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3 is carrying lots of "DW-TV" shows, it seems to me that "My Channel" is broadcasting all of the‚ "DW-TV"‚ shows‚ excepting the news‚ at some point over the 7 day week, you will be needing to check either your "Sky" EPG guide ("My Channel" is on 203) or the "My Channel" TV guide‚
HERE‚ , "DW-TV" is Germany's international channel same as "BBC World" is the UK's international channel.
UPDATE 27/10/12‚ - Information TV -‚ A little reminder regarding the following which has previously been posted a long time ago, the early evening thirty minute news programme specifically for the British Forces is carried on "Information TV", "British Forces News" is broadcast every weekday evening at 1830 UK time and I am sure that some of my readers will find this of interest because they are in the forces, are ex forces and/or have someone they know who is in the forces, "Information TV" is a free to air channel and it can be found on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 11.623 H, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3
26/10/12 Fans of the 70'S British sitcom "Man About the House" will like the following news,‚ "ITV 3"‚ from this coming Monday (29th of October) at 1720 UK time will begin showing this classic series every weekday, please check daily listings because after looking at this week's listings I see that some days it will start at 1715 and other days it will start at 1725, also worthy of a mention are the repeat showings of‚ "Man About the House"‚ which will be shown every following weekday beginning from this coming Tuesday (30th of October) at 1030 UK time, of course there is also "ITV 3+1"!
26/10/12 "Premier Sports" which is a subscription channel on the UK's "Sky" platform is currently having a "free" weekend, they say it is "free" but in fact it is only "free to view" which means it is "free" to holders of a‚ "Sky UK" receiver and UK registered‚ viewing card, it is not available to holders of "Sky Ireland" viewing cards
UPDATE 26/10/12 - BBC 1 HD Northern Ireland -‚ Sorry, I am a little late with this particular news -‚ The channel labelled as "6943"‚ on the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degrees east ‚ frequency of‚ 10.847 V, SR 23.000, FEC 2/3,‚ DVB-S2 8PSK‚ has now been renamed as "BBC 1 HD Northern Ireland", it can now be found‚ on the UK's "Sky" and "Freesat" EPG channel lists but it is only on the EPG's for the Northern Ireland Sky viewing cards and Freesat postcodes
I do not usually put Astra 2F stuff here but this is very important
UPDATE 23/10/12 - Astra 2F -‚ "SES-Astra" have set‚ the 15th of November, 2012 as their target date for‚ "Astra 2F" to become operational at 28.2 degrees east, this means that we can expect Astra 2F to be moving from it's current 43.5 degrees east test position next week
UPDATE 22/10/12 - ITV 1 HD -‚ "ITV 1 Central HD" is now free to air on 10.936 V, SR 23.000, FEC 8/9, DVB-S2 QPSK on the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degrees east, this latest move means that there are currently four free to air ITV 1 HD's‚ ‚ (five if you include STV HD), these four ITV 1 HD regions are London, Granada, Central, and Meridian, frequencies for these regions can be found‚
HEREUPDATE 22/10/12 - ITV Regions -‚ All "ITV" channels are now free to air on 10.994 H, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6 on the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degrees east, everything is free to air on this frequency. This was (and continues to be) the one and only time that my "prediction" has let me down (I probably had a hangover that day!), but it has now finally happened, finally! This was the missing 1% "prediction" which did not come true! All my other "predictions" did (and continue to) come true, Rob still stands by the following statement "(*scientific research has proven that "Rob's" brain is 99% more accurately fine tuned for satellite reception than other website's brains)". It is scientifically proven!
UPDATE 22/10/12 - BBC 1 HD Northern Ireland -‚ The channel labelled as "6943" is now carrying "BBC 1 HD Northern Ireland"‚ on the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degrees east ‚ frequency of‚ 10.847 V, SR 23.000, FEC 2/3,‚ DVB-S2 8PSK, we can expect this channel to be given it's proper name and to be put on the UK's "Sky" and "Freesat" EPG channel lists in time for Northern Ireland's "Digital SwitchOver" which happens in two days time
UPDATE 22/10/12 - "54071" -‚ The channel named as‚ "54071"‚ on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east‚ ‚ frequency of 12.560 H, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3‚ has now been renamed as "Diverse", it is also to be found on the UK's "Sky" EPG channel list on number 234, this channel is showing regular programming, programmes such as "Bonanza", "Dragnet", "The Beverly Hillbillies", and "Flash Gordon" are to be found on this channel
UPDATE 18/10/12 - BBC Changes -‚ The second stage of the BBC's frequency changes at 28.2 degrees east took place, the BBC Radio channels were activated on frequencies 10.788 V and 10.803 H (channels are shared between the two frequencies),‚ and BBC Sport Stream 1 was activated on 10.773 H, all these "new" channels on the three frequencies have not yet been correctly named, their names are numbers, the "old" frequency of 11.954 H which is due to be switched off at the end of October is currently still showing BBC Radio with their correct names, because of this‚ there you may be in some confusion as to where you are getting your BBC Radio from depending on what receiver you are using so I will clarify the current situation for you. The UK's dedicated "Freesat" receivers have been changed to the new frequencies and get their BBC Radio and BBC Sport Stream 1 from 10.788 V/10.803 H/10.773 H, the UK's dedicated "Sky" receivers‚ are still getting BBC Radio and BBC Sport stream 1 from the "old" frequency of 11.954 H as they‚ have not been changed to the new frequencies, dedicated free to air or any other non Sky/non Freesat receivers have BBC Radio on 10.788 V and 10.803 H named as numbers not the correct channel names whilst BBC Radio on 11.954 H has the channels correctly named, once "Sky" change their receivers to the "new" frequencies then 10.788 V and 10.803 H will be correctly channel named and 11.954 H will lose the channel names and will close as planned at the end of October
UPDATE 17/10/12 - SES-Astra and Eutelsat -‚ Further to the news that I previously told you about regarding SES-Astra and Eutelsat's dispute over 28.5 degrees east frequencies which are currently operated by "Eutelsat" but "SES-Astra" say they have the frequencies from October 2013 both companies now seem to have taken their "spat" public, SES-Astra's version of events can be found‚
HERE‚ , and Eutelsat's version of events can be found‚
HERE‚ , these two statements are nothing that I have not told you previously (see 05/10/12 and 08/10/12 further down this page) and therefore nothing that we do not know already, the questions which need answering/clarification are clear or clearish!. In 1999 were Eutelsat given these frequencies for ever (open ended without time limit) or was there a time limit to these frequencies (such as the 2013 that SES-Astra are currently quoting)? Were these frequencies given to Eutelsat as a completely separate entity or were they given as part of the bigger 1999 "Intersystem Coordination Agreement"‚ deal which included other agreements as well as the "28 "degrees dispute resolution which had been ongoing between SES-Astra and Eutelsat? Were Deutsche Telekom allowed to pass on/sell ‚ these frequencies to their subsidiary Media Broadcast and then sell Media Broadcast including‚ Eutelsat's frequencies‚ to their current owners TDF Group without the knowledge or consent of Eutelsat? And another question, If these frequencies were not awarded to Eutelsat with no time limit then one would think that there would have been some sort of contracted legal option‚ in place‚ of first refusal for Eutelsat regarding these frequencies once the supposed contract was due for renewal, one other thing of relevance is that Eutelsat's press office agency in Germany is Media Broadcast's press office agency too! You could not make this up could you?! We await further developments. Place your bets please on the likely winner and loser!
UPDATE 15/10/12 - BBC Changes -‚ The second stage of the BBC's frequency changes at 28.2 degrees east are taking place, here are the new allocations for this second phase change which will be fully implemented tomorrow morning
10.773 H SR 22.000 FEC 5/6
BBC SPORT STREAM 1
10.788 V SR 22.000 FEC 5/6
BBC RADIO 3
BBC RADIO 4 FM
BBC RADIO WS‚ (BBC WORLD SERVICE UK ONLY VERSION)
BBC RADIO WALES
BBC RADIO CYMRU
BBC RADIO SCOTLAND
BBC RADIO ULSTER
BBC 6 MUSIC
BBC RADIO 4 EXTRA
BBC R N GAEL
BBC RADIO 4 LW
10.803 H SR 22.000 FEC 5/6
BBC RADIO 1
BBC RADIO 2
BBC RADIO 5 LIVE
BBC RADIO 5 SPORTS EXTRA
BBC RADIO LONDON
BBC RADIO 1XTRA
BBC ASIAN NETWORK
UPDATE 12/10/12 - BBC Changes -‚ The first stage of the BBC's frequency changes at 28.2 degrees east have taken place:-
BBC News is now on 10.818 V, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6
BBC Three/CBBC is now on 10.818 V, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6
BBC Four/CBeebies is now on 10.773 H, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6
BBC Alba is now on 10.803 H, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6
BBC 1 NE and C is now on 10.803 H, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6
BBC Sport Stream 1 is now on 10.773 H, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6‚ does not seem to have happened at time of writing
Please do not forget that on the 15th of October all BBC Radio Channels will move to 10.788 V and 10.803 H, all BBC Radio will share these two frequencies which are on the UK beam as opposed to 11.954 H which is on the European beam, this means that after the 16th of October some outlying parts of Europe will lose their BBC Radio reception
UPDATE 11/10/12 - Capital TV and Heart TV -‚ Music channels‚ "Capital TV" and "Heart TV" have officially launched and are now showing regular programming, these two channels are on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 12.523 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3. Both of these channels are free to air, also‚ "Capital TV" can be found on the UK "Sky" channel list at number 388, "Heart‚ TV" can be found at number 387, and on the UK's "Freesat" channel list "Capital TV" is on channel number 517 and "Heart TV" is on channel number 516
UPDATE 11/10/12 - Astra 2F -‚ Astra 2F has today been officially handed over to SES-Astra from Astrium, see‚
HERE‚ ‚ , many thanks to "Haward" for this information
UPDATE 11/10/12 - Capital TV and Heart TV -‚ Music channels‚ "Capital TV" and "Heart TV" are now active on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 12.523 V, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3. Both of these channels are free to air and are currently showing colour bars with "Programmes Coming Soon" superimposed, according to the "EPG" information‚ "Capital TV" and "Heart TV" will launch tonight at 2300 UK time, "Capital TV" can be found on the UK "Sky" channel list at number 388, "Heart‚ TV" can be found on the "Sky" channel list at number 387, on the UK's "Freesat" channel list "Capital TV" is on channel number 517 and "Heart TV" is on channel number 516
UPDATE 11/10/12 - "54071" -‚ The channel named as‚ "54071"‚ on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east is now showing regular programming but at the time of writing there is no channel name or identification on screen, this channel is showing programmes like "Bonanza", "Dragnet", "The Beverly Hillbillies", and "Flash Gordon", the frequency for this channel is 12.560 H, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3
UPDATE 11/10/12 - BBC Changes - Please do not forget that early tomorrow morning the BBC begins it's changes
I made a prediction on the 21st of September that the BBC would be closing frequency 11.954 H‚ on the Astra 2A satellite at 28.2 degrees east‚ which carries the BBC Sport Streams and most BBC Radio channels (scroll down to 21/09/12 and 25/09/12), I told you that "BBC Sport Stream Only One" (the BBC are closing all other Sports Streams leaving only one) would be moving to 10.773 H, and that the BBC radio channels would also be moving. Today the BBC has announced that 11.954 H is being closed (at the end of October)‚ and that services will be moved, on the 12th of October BBC Sport Stream Only One goes to 10.773 H, on the 15th of October‚ BBC Radio will be moved‚ from 11.954 H to both 10.803 H and 10.788 V, they will be split between the two frequencies. Also announced today by the BBC is that on the 12th of October BBC Three/CBBC on 10.773 H and BBC News on 10.803 H will be moving to 10.818 V, BBC Four/CBeebies‚ on 10.803 H will be moving to 10.773 H,‚ and BBC Alba and BBC 1 North East and Cumbria both on 10.818 V will be moving to 10.803 H. The BBC also announced today that in order to launch the new BBC 1 HD Scotland, BBC 1 HD Wales, and BBC 1 HD Northern Ireland over the next few months that they will be opening a new frequency, this new frequency will be 11.023 H and will most probably be‚ SR 23.000,‚ FEC 2/3, DVB-S2 8PSK, so after the launch of the BBC 1 HD Nations all BBC HD channels will be shared between two frequencies, 10.847 V and 11.023 H, 10.847 H will carry two BBC 1 HD channels and the BBC HD channel (next year to be BBC 2 HD channel) and 11.023 H will also carry two BBC 1 HD versions
08/10/12 "MTV Trax" is still free to air on the Astra satellite at 28.2 degrees east, but it is only free for non Sky UK satellite receivers, frequency is 11.895 V, SR 27.500, SR 2/3
08/10/12 "54071" on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east is now showing colour bars and also has EPG information for programmes like "Bonanza", "Dragnet", and "The Beverly Hillbillies", frequency is 12.560 H, SR 27.500, FEC 2/3
I do not usually put Astra 2F stuff here but this is very important
UPDATE 08/10/12 - SES-Astra and Eutelsat -‚ Here‚ is some further background information from 1999 on the SES-Astra and Eutelsat (and of course Deutsche Telekom) agreement which was reached over frequency allocation at the "28 degrees east satellite positions", the following was contained in a joint press release‚ from 1999‚ by SES-Astra and Eutelsat -
"According to the intersystem coordination agreement, SES, in addition to the continued provision of services in the BSS band (11.70 to 12.50 GHz) at 28.2 degrees East, will also use frequencies in the FSS band (10.70 to 11.20 GHz) for Direct-to-Home Services. EUTELSAT will use at 28.5 degrees East the frequencies in the FSS band (11.20 to 11.70 GHz and 12.50 to 12.75 GHz), in particular to ensure the continuation of services currently carried on DT AG¢â‚¬â„¢s DFS Kopernikus satellite at that orbital location. SES will use frequencies from 12.50 to 12.75 GHz at 28.2 degrees East for operations outside of Europe."
Please correct me if I am wrong but am I to understand that as part of that 1999‚ intersystem coordination agreement, Were‚ SES-Astra given the‚ 10.70 to 11.20 GHz (and‚ 12.50 to 12.75 GHz for operations outside of Europe)‚ frequencies and Eutelsat given the‚ 11.20 to 11.70 GHz and 12.50 to 12.75 GHz frequencies as part of that same 1999 agreement? If that is correct (and it looks to be correct) then it seems to me that this current problem between SES-Astra and Eutelsat may‚ not be such a clear cut case in SES-Astra's favour,‚ Eutelsat might just have a leg to stand on with this as well as if‚ there was no time limit to the original 1999 agreement! Please feel free to mail me your thoughts on this.
I do not usually put Astra 2F stuff here but this is very important
UPDATE 05/10/12 - SES-Astra and Eutelsat -‚ Following Astra 2F's successful launch SES-Astra announced that from October 2013 that it be able will use some additional frequencies at the 28.2/28.5 degrees east satellite position which according to "SES-Astra" it acquired because of a long standing agreement from 2005 with German company "Media Broadcast", this announcement by SES-Astra caught "Eutelsat" who are the other operator at the "28" degrees east satellite position by surprise. Now the big question here is what are SES-Astra talking about? Firstly we need some background information to this story, "Eutelsat" which since 2001 has operated television and radio services to the UK and Ireland on the "Eutesat 28A"‚ which was formerly called "Eurobird 1"‚ satellite at the 28.5 degrees east satellite position as part of a‚ 1999‚ international agreement which was reached following a long standing bitter dispute‚ between "Eutelsat" and "SES-Astra‚ over the "28" degrees east satellite position,‚ following this agreement which was achieved with the active involvement of "Deutsche Telekom" who operated the "Kopernikus" satellite which at the time was at the 28.5 degrees east satellite position, "SES-Astra" were awarded frequencies in the‚ 10.700-11.200 band as well as continuing to broadcast in the 11.700-12.500 band,‚ "Eutelsat" were given frequencies in the 11.200-11.700 band and the 12.500-12.750 band, in addition this agreement stipulated that SES-Astra were given the 12.500-12.750 range for broadcasts outside of Europe, SES-Astra have since developed the 12.500-12.750 band for transmissions to Africa.‚ Eutelsat 28A which was launched in March 2001 was originally given an operating life by Eutelsat of 12 years, Eutelsat 28A's manufacturers indicated an operating life of 15 years, the latest estimation contained in Eutelsat's literature is for Eutelsat 28A to end it's operational life‚ in the second quarter of 2018‚ at the 28.5 degrees east satellite position, even if Eutelsat 28A does not last this long Eutelsat already have the Eutelsat W2M satellite in place as a stand by replacement‚ should anything happen to‚ Eutelsat 28A. As I said earlier,‚ Eutelsat are surprised at this announcement by SES-Astra, Eutelsat say they have no plans to leave the 28.5 degrees east satellite position but they cannot comment further because of ongoing arbitration proceedings before the International Chamber of Commerce, this arbitration is obviously to do with this SES-Astra and Media Broadcast deal which most probably amounts to Eutelsat losing the right to some or all of it's current frequency allocations at the 28.5 degrees east satellite position. The following was contained in some more of‚ Eutelsat's literature "At some orbital positions, the Group operates satellites with‚ frequency assignments granted to third parties, this is the case with the Eurobird 1 satellite at 28.5‚° East operated under the German frequency assignments‚ held by Deutsche Telekom, the Group‚ uses these frequency assignments under agreements entered into‚ with these operators". Now this is relevant, Deutsche Telekom was once the owner of "Media & Broadcast" but in 2008 they sold it to the French company "TDF Group", TDF renamed it as simply "Media Broadcast",‚ SES-Astra recently stated that it had a 2005 agreement with "Media Broadcast" and from October 2013 it would have additional frequency spectrum at the 28.5 degrees east satellite position, Eutelsat have asked the International Chamber of Commerce to decide whether Deutsche Telekom/Media Broadcast has/had the right to take these frequencies away from Eutelsat, they say there was no time limit to the 1999 agreement with Deutsche Telekom and that the frequencies cannot be transferred, SES-Astra obviously did not tell Eutelsat about it's 2005 deal with Media Broadacst until recently but when Eutelsat found out about this deal and that they would be losing frequencies they have gone to the International Chamber of Commerce for a ruling and a decision should come in 2013, Eutelsat are saying that this SES-Astra/Media Broadcast 2005 agreement is not valid as there was no time limit to the original 1999 agreement/settlement, SES-Astra still believes it has the rights to the frequencies from October 2013 and does seem too worried about Eutelsat's move to arbitration, and just to confuse the issue even further, I told you earlier that SES-Astra did a deal with Media Broadcast in 2005, Media Broadcast was sold by Deutsche Telekom to French company TDF in 2008 and although in 2005 Deutshe Telekom did own Media Broadcast, since 2008 Deutsche Telekom do not own Media Broadcast so this means that Deutsche Telekom do not own the frequency spectrum now! This is going to get dirty, Eutelsat will not give up 28.5 degrees east without a fight, SES-Astra will think that they are right, there will be more to come, I await further developments, as "Prince" once sang, "we're gonna party like it's 1999"! What Again?!
at 28.5‚° East operated under the German frequency assignments
frequency assignments granted to third parties.
frequency assignments granted to third parties.
This is the case with the ATLANTIC ‚ BIRD¢â€ž¢ ‚ 2 satellite and the
ATLANTIC BIRD¢â€ž¢ 3 satellite, at 8‚° West and 5‚° West respectively,
which are operated under French frequency assignments granted to
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at 28.5‚° East operated under the German frequency assignments
held by Deutsche Telekom, and the W4 satellite operated at 36‚° East
under Russian frequency assignments held by RSCC. The Group
uses these frequency assignments under agreements entered i
frequency assignments granted to third parties.
This is the case with the ATLANTIC ‚ BIRD¢â€ž¢ ‚ 2 satellite and the
ATLANTIC BIRD¢â€ž¢ 3 satellite, at 8‚° West and 5‚° West respectively,
which are operated under French frequency assignments granted to
France Tƒ©lƒ©com. It is also the case with the EUROBIRD¢â€ž¢ 1 satellite
at 28.5‚° East operated under the German frequency assignments
held by Deutsche Telekom, and the W4 satellite operated at 36‚° East
under Russian frequency assignments held by RSCC. The Group
uses these frequency assignments under agreements entered into
with these operators.
UPDATE 05/10/12 - BBC Changes -‚ The channel named as "6390" on the Astra 1 satellite at 28.2 degrees east frequency of 10.773 H, SR 22.000, FEC 5/6 is now carrying "BBC 2", the channel labelled as "6391" on the same frequency is carrying "BBC 1" only. On 10.847 V, SR 23.000, FEC 2/3,‚ DVB-S2 8PSK the channel labelled as "6943" is still carrying "BBC 1 HD England" and is still different "PIDS" to the main "BBC 1 HD" channel on the same frequency
04/10/12 "Capital TV" and "Heart TV" launch at 0600 UK time on the 11th of October, both of these channels are available free to air on the Eutelsat 28A satellite at 28.5 degrees east frequency of 12.523 Vertical, Symbol Rate 27.500, FEC 2/3. more on this in the coming days
UPDATE 01/10/12 - BBC Changes - Oops!...I Did it Again!
I made a prediction on the 21st of September that the BBC would be closing frequency 11.954 H‚ on the Astra 2A satellite at 28.2 degrees east‚ which carries the BBC Sport Streams and most BBC Radio channels (scroll down to 21/09/12 and 25/09/12), I told you that "BBC Sport Stream Only One" (the BBC are closing all other Sports Streams leaving only one) would be moving to 10.773 H, and that the BBC radio channels would also be moving. Today the BBC has announced that 11.954 H is being closed (at the end of October)‚ and that services will be moved, on the 12th of October BBC Sport Stream Only One goes to 10.773 H, on the 15th of October‚ BBC Radio will be moved‚ from 11.954 H to both 10.803 H and 10.788 V, they will be split between the two frequencies. Also announced today by the BBC is that on the 12th of October BBC Three/CBBC on 10.773 H and BBC News on 10.803 H will be moving to 10.818 V, BBC Four/CBeebies‚ on 10.803 H will be moving to 10.773 H,‚ and BBC Alba and BBC 1 North East and Cumbria both on 10.818 V will be moving to 10.803 H. The BBC also announced today that in order to launch the new BBC 1 HD Scotland, BBC 1 HD Wales, and BBC 1 HD Northern Ireland over the next few months that they will be opening a new frequency, this new frequency will be 11.023 H and will most probably be‚ SR 23.000,‚ FEC 2/3, DVB-S2 8PSK, so after the launch of the BBC 1 HD Nations all BBC HD channels will be shared between two frequencies, 10.847 V and 11.023 H, 10.847 H will carry two BBC 1 HD channels and the BBC HD channel (next year to be BBC 2 HD channel) and 11.023 H will also carry two BBC 1 HD versions
For the BBC announcement in full see‚
HEREAnd following is the "prediction" which I made on the 21/09/12, I would have made it sooner but I was in Asia until the 20/09/12!!
"The BBC's 10.773 H transponder on Astra 1N at 28.2 degrees east is now carrying a new channel labelled as "6391", this channel is currently carrying video of BBC 1 London (VPID same) but no audio (APID) different, now this is interesting to me, there is something going on here, take a look at this from BBC Cost Cutting's Reductions "Brochure"
1) Reduce the number of sport streams available on satellite to one. This would‚ take place towards the end of 2012, after the Olympic Games
2) We are reviewing the number of regional variants in England‚ and intend to reduce this to enable savings in distribution costs, though these programmes would‚ continue to be transmitted on Freeview
3) We will immediately invest to make the three versions of BBC One in‚ Scotland, Wales and‚ Northern Ireland broadcast in high definition by the end of 2012.
4) Launch a single version of BBC Two in HD in 2012 to replace the current BBC HD channel,‚ no BBC Two HD variations in Scotland, Wales or Northern‚ Ireland
So what does that tell us?
The BBC are cost cutting, the BBC Sport Streams are being reduced to One Stream and there is a‚ possible reduction of BBC One regional variants on satellite,‚ BBC Sport Streams broadcast on 11.954 H together with BBC Radio, I think that the ultimate aim of the BBC is to close 11.954 H, when the BBC goes fully HD (i.e. BBC 3/CBBC HD and BBC 4/CBeebies HD and the BBC 1 HD Regions and BBC 2 HD Nations) they will need a transponder/frequency which will have a UK beam not the current European beam that 11.954 H broadcasts on, this would almost certainly mean a frequency change or closing SD channels for HD channels, but that is in the long term future, the immediate short term future is what is interesting, "6391" has appeared on 10.773 H, Is this a possible move for the soon to be "BBC Sport Stream Only One?" And the reduction in BBC 1 Regions on satellite, that would certainly allow transfer of BBC Radio channels from 11.954 H. As for BBC 1 HD's Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland and replacing BBC HD with BBC 2 HD, they are coming soon,‚ during the early hours of 27 September 2012‚ The BBC leased Astra 1N 28.2 degrees east frequency of 10.847 V, SR 23.000, FEC 8/9, DVB-S2 QPSK is changing parameters, from the 27th of September‚ 10.847 V will be SR 23.000, FEC 2/3, DVB-S2 8PSK, this change is‚ to accommodate the extra new BBC 1 HD channels which will be launching soon after,‚ hurrah for the nations! hip hip hurrah! P.S. 10.773 H also has another "label" numbered "6390" but as yet there is nothing active on this one"
UPDATE 01/10/12 - BBC Changes‚ - A new BBC 1 England HD channel with it's own‚ "PIDS"‚ has appeared on the Astra 1N satellite at 28.2 degrees east frequency of 10.847 V, SR 23.000, FEC 2/3, DVB-S2 8PSK, the channel named as "6943" is a direct copy of the existing BBC 1 HD channel, it is showing BBC 1 England HD, audio track is‚ "AC3/Dolby Digital" only (there is no "MPEG 2" audio), there are‚ subtitles being broadcast but currently no EPG data
29/09/12‚ - Astra 2F which was launched successfully last night will be handed over to SES-Astra in two weeks time, testing is to be carried out at 43.5 degrees east before Astra 2F is moved to it's permanent home of 28.2 degrees east
UPDATE 27/09/12 - BBC Changes‚ -‚ This morning (27th of September) the BBC's Astra 1N frequency changed broadcast parameters,‚ 10.847 V is now SR 23.000, FEC 2/3, DVB-S2 8PSK. The BBC are currently in the process of reorganising it's satellite channels (see "UPDATE 25/09/12 further down this page for more)
"On 27th of September our HD channels will be changing, that's BBC One HD and BBC HD."
Now read the following "prediction" which I made on the 21/09/12, I would have made it sooner but I was in Asia until the 20/09/12!!
"The BBC's 10.773 H transponder on Astra 1N at 28.2 degrees east is now carrying a new channel labelled as "6391", this channel is currently carrying video of BBC 1 London (VPID same) but no audio (APID) different, now this is interesting to me, there is something going on here, take a look at this from BBC Cost Cutting's Reductions "Brochure"
1) Reduce the number of sport streams available on satellite to one. This would‚ take place towards the end of 2012, after the Olympic Games
2) We are reviewing the number of regional variants in England‚ and intend to reduce this to enable savings in distribution costs, though these programmes would‚ continue to be transmitted on Freeview
3) We will immediately invest to make the three versions of BBC One in‚ Scotland, Wales and‚ Northern Ireland broadcast in high definition by the end of 2012.
4) Launch a single version of BBC Two in HD in 2012 to replace the current BBC HD channel,‚ no BBC Two HD variations in Scotland, Wales or Northern‚ Ireland
The BBC are cost cutting, the BBC Sport Streams are being reduced to One Stream and there is a‚ possible reduction of BBC One regional variants on satellite,‚ BBC Sport Streams broadcast on 11.954 H together with BBC Radio%
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