Telecommunications satellite Hot Bird 13C has now been moved westwards after offloading all of its TV and radio services to the new Hot Bird 13G.
Last week, satellite operator Eutelsat began migrating channels across, as part of a major change at the 13°E orbital position. The first phase of change mainly affected Polish, French and Italian channels.
Following completion of this stage, Hot Bird 13C moved, and on Friday evening was last tracked at 10°E. The satellite has been in service since 2009 after launching into orbit in December 2008. It is the youngest of the three satellites being replaced at 13°E and the only one still within its original mission duration of fifteen years. This means it can be used for alternative duties until it reaches end-of-life.
Hot Bird 13B and 13E – which despite the name is older than 13C – continue to carry the remaining TV and radio services at 13°E.
Waiting in the wings is Eutelsat 13F, currently located at 0.5°E. It will shortly move across to 13°E when services will continue transferring across.
By the end of July, the load previously carried across three satellites will be carried on just two satellites.
This will include the BBC World Service, which utilises Hot Bird’s wide coverage to reach audiences and network providers across Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
Fortunately for viewers and network operators who rely on Hot Bird, broadcast parameters and frequencies won’t change when services migrate across. Existing dishes set up to receive Hot Bird can continue to be used.
Marc Thornham