HDTV Platform Hello HD Launches in Hungary From Eutelsat's EUROBIRD(TM) 9 Neighbourhood

HDTV Platform Hello HD Launches in Hungary From Eutelsat's EUROBIRD(TM) 9 Neighbourhood

PARIS, April 29/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hello HD, Hungary's first High-Definition television platform is gearing
up for launch on May 1 from the EUROBIRD(TM) 9 satellite operated by Eutelsat
Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL). Using two transponders leased on a
long-term basis on EUROBIRD(TM) 9, Hello HD's new television platform will
feature industry-leading HDTV services including Eurosport HD, National
Geographic HD, Filmbox HD and HBO HD, complemented by high quality Hungarian
channels broadcasting in Standard Digital.

Hello HD will be available to viewers on a subscription basis using CONAX
encryption. Subscribers will procure a High-Definition set-top-box provided
by the Swiss company Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB) which enables high
definition and standard definition reception based on the DVB-S2 standard and
is also equipped with PVR (Personal Video Recorder) and VOD (Video on Demand)
features. In fourth quarter 2008 Hello HD plans to launch video-on-demand and
a range of value added interactive services.

Hello HD's choice of EUROBIRD(TM) 9 will also enable satellite homes in
Hungary to receive digital channels broadcasting from Eutelsat's HOT BIRD(TM)
video neighbourhood. Using off-the-shelf double-feed antennas, Hello HD
subscribers will be able to use the same dish to pick up content available
free-to-air at the HOT BIRD(TM) position.

Commenting on the launch of Hello HD, Andras Schmideg, Hello HD CEO,
said: "Nearly five percent of Hungarian TV households are already equipped
with HD Ready television sets, and this number is expected to rapidly grow.
Our unique platform, which assembles the best brands in HD with Standard
Digital channels, responds to consumer demand for the highest quality of
content and a new television experience. We are delighted that Hello HD can
be made available to homes across Hungary thanks to the coverage and
high-power of Eutelsat's EUROBIRD(TM) 9 satellite."

Olivier Millies Lacroix, Eutelsat Commercial Director responded: "The
launch of Hello HD platform further cements Eutelsat's longstanding
relationship with Hungary's broadcasting community. It also underscores the
strong dynamic of digital broadcasting markets in central Europe and
demonstrates that EUROBIRD(TM) 9, our newest video neighbourhood continues to
attract some of the most exciting and innovative broadcasting ventures to
accompany the continuing take-up of new channels and High-Definition
Television. With Hello HD, the number of HD channels broadcast on the
Eutelsat fleet will increase up to forty."

Hello HD is owned by the media services company Watchcable
Corporation which launched Minimax and other television channels in the CEE
region.

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is
the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 24
satellites that provide coverage over the entire European continent, as well
as the Middle East, Africa, India and significant parts of Asia and the
Americas, Eutelsat is one of the world's three leading satellite operators in
terms of revenues. At 31 December 2007, Eutelsat's satellites were
broadcasting almost 3,000 television channels and 1,100 radio stations. More
than 1,100 channels broadcast via its HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood at 13
degrees East which serves over 120 million cable and satellite homes in
Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The Group's satellites also serve a
wide range of fixed and mobile telecommunications services, TV contribution
markets, corporate networks, and broadband markets for Internet Service
Providers and for transport, maritime and in-flight markets. Eutelsat's
broadband subsidiary, Skylogic, markets and operates services through
teleports in France and Italy that serve enterprises, local communities,
government agencies and aid organisations in Europe, Africa, Asia and the
Americas. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat and its subsidiaries employ 538
commercial, technical and operational experts from 27 countries.

http://www.eutelsat.com

For further information from Hello HD please contact
Andras Schmideg, CEO
e-mail: andras.schmideg@Hellohd.tv

http://www.Hellohd.tv

For further information:
Press

Vanessa O'Connor Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 voconnor@eutelsat.fr

Frederique Gautier Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88 fgautier@eutelsat.fr


Investors

Gilles Janvier Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30
investors@eutelsat-communications.com

Source: Eutelsat Communications

For further information from Hello HD please contact, Andras Schmideg, CEO, e-mail: andras.schmideg@Hellohd.tv; Press, Vanessa O'Connor, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, voconnor@eutelsat.fr; Frederique Gautier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-38-88, fgautier@eutelsat.fr; Investors, Gilles Janvier, Tel: +33-1-53-98-35-30, investors@eutelsat-communications.com

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