SISLink has signed a new contract with Eutelsat Communications for a total of 4,000 hours of capacity in average 9MHz slots on a range of Eutelsat satellites until 1 June 2009.
This new contract, which continues an almost 20-year relationship between the two companies, equips SISLink to meet growing requirements from agencies and broadcasting organisations to provide TV coverage of leading sports and breaking news events.
The 4,000-hours of capacity will be made available on request to SISLink on a real-time basis via a range of Eutelsat satellites providing reach across Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and central Asia. Uplinks in both Standard Digital or HD will be delivered back to SISLinks' teleports in the UK.
SISLink has also renewed its contract for four Ku-band transponders on the Telecom 2D satellite commercialised by Eutelsat. This new multi-year contract ensures that SISLink continues to access capacity in inclined orbit with strong reach over western Europe.
SISLink is a major satellite broadcast company with a fleet of over 100 uplinks developed, enhanced and maintained in the UK, France, Ireland and Italy for immediate deployment in the field. SNG vehicles provide all-in-one editing and uplinking facilities, multi-camera facility and professional audio mixing functions.
The company is also expanding its fleet of HD uplink trucks and fully-equipped flight-cases designed for integration, compression and monitoring of HD services. David Meynell, Managing Director of SISLink said: "We have worked with Eutelsat for many years now, buying both adhoc capacity and fixed long term satellite leases.
"I am very pleased that we can now increase our annual commitment by signing this minimum capacity contract and I look forward to many more years of successful transmissions of major events for our customers utilising Eutelsat's fleet of satellites."
"Eutelsat has partnered with SISLink for the overwhelming majority of the key events it has covered for broadcasters since 1989, and we are delighted to further strengthen our collaboration with this new deal," added Olivier Millies-Lacroix, Eutelsat Commercial Director.
"Flexibility, responsiveness and choice are key features SISLink needs from a satellite operator. We are fully committed to continuing to tick all these boxes and to support a video activity which is an essential component of the broadcasting chain."
