Chinese state broadcaster to turn off standard definition version of its channels in Europe at the end of the year.
As previously reported, CGTN launched three HD channels on Astra 19.2 last month. Satellite operator SES and uplink provider Globecast have now confirmed the existing SD channels will close.
The expansion comes about because of a new expansion agreement with Globecast’s media services division.
Under the terms of the multi-year agreement, Globecast is leasing additional capacity deliver CGTN News, CGTN Documentary and CGTN Français, and will manage the uplinking and contribution services for these channels.
Shakunt Malhotra, Managing Director, Asia, Globecast said:
“As a premium broadcast service provider in the European region, when CGTN approached us with their plans to move to HD, our obvious choice was to work with our long-term partner, SES, to identify key positions. It’s a pleasure to start a new transponder on Astra 19.2 location with 24/7 channel monitoring services to reach large audiences for key public broadcaster like CGTN.”
CGTN has already made its services available HD on Eutelsat Hot Bird. Together with broadcasts on Astra 19.2 means most of Europe can access free-to-air HD feeds. Globecast still provides a SD feed of its main CGTN News channel on Hotbird and Eutelsat 9B, which cable operators are still using.
In the UK, CGTN’s expansion plans were thwarted in February after Ofcom revoked their broadcast licence. Now licensed in France, it is attempting to return to the UK. So far this has been restricted to web streams and a slot on Vision TV (Freeview channel 264).