Intelsat 15 Expands Orion Express TV Platform Offering

Tuesday, September 7th, 2010

LUXEMBOURG — Intelsat S.A., the world’s leading provider of fixed satellite services, announced that Orion Express, a major satellite television provider in Russia, is now offering expanded direct-to-home (DTH) programming via capacity on the Intelsat 15 satellite (IS-15). Under the multi-year, multi-transponder contract, Orion Express is distributing news, sports, entertainment and children’s programming for its new satellite platform, CONTINENT TV, which crossed the 100,000-subscriber threshold within three months of its service launch. CONTINENT TV offers viewers access to 50 television channels and 16 channels for cable network operators.

IS-15, launched in November 2009, provides video and data services through its high power Ku-band payload. Located at 85º E, the satellite offers Orion Express the ability to deliver television and media services across the Russian territory and supports the country’s ever-growing demand for DTH services.

“The IS-15 coverage has enabled us to rapidly grow our services, reaching a large number of subscribers across the country within the few months since CONTINENT TV’s launch,” said Maria Zhilina, Marketing Director of Orion Express. “Intelsat’s expertise in supporting global DTH platforms, as well as IS-15’s broad coverage, has helped us meet the growing DTH market demand and strengthen our position in Russia.”

“The success of Orion Express demonstrates IS-15’s ability to be one of the region’s leading DTH distribution satellites,” said Jean-Philippe Gillet, Intelsat’s Regional Vice President, Europe and Middle East. “Intelsat has already developed a strong position in Russia’s data sector and is committed to further strengthening its media service offering in the region. DTH programming in Russia remains a strong growth market for satellite providers and CONTINENT TV’s success represents a significant milestone for Intelsat in the region.”

Intelsat will be exhibiting in Hall 1, Stand C71 at IBC 2010, the international tradeshow for the creation, management and delivery of content for the broadcasting industry, which will be held in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, September 10-14.