Live HD Performances From Metropolitan Opera New York Come to Cinemas in France via Eutelsat Satellites

Live HD Performances From Metropolitan Opera New York Come to Cinemas in France via Eutelsat Satellites

PARIS, April 22/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CielEcran, specialised in broadcasting cultural and sports events to
large screens in France, is using capacity on two satellites operated by
Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) for live, high-definition
performance transmissions direct from New York's Metropolitan Opera to cinema
complexes.

Following the success on April 5 of a live satellite broadcast of
Puccini's La Boheme from the Metropolitan Opera to 17 cinemas across France,
CielEcran is continuing on 26 April with a live HD transmission of "La Fille
du Regiment" by Donizetti, with Natalie Dessay and Juan Diego Florez.

This new manifestation is the latest in a series of exceptional events
transmitted to cinemas by CielEcran. Using Eutelsat satellite capacity for
very high bitrate connections, CielEcran can enable the public to experience
world-class international events with exceptional video and audio quality.

The performance of 26 April, including interviews with artists, directors
and stage managers, will be filmed by 15 HD cameras with Dolby Digital 5.1
surround sound. Capacity on Eutelsat's ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 1 satellite will
transmit the signal direct from New York to the UK where subtitles will be
added for the French audience. The DVB-S/MPEG-2 signal will subsequently be
uplinked to Eutelsat's ATLANTIC BIRD(TM) 3 satellite whose high-power
coverage across France enables direct reception by cinema complexes. Cinemas
receiving the broadcast include two theatres in the Gaumont Marignan in Paris
and 16 complexes in main cities and towns across France. CielEcran is
collaborating on the opera transmission with the music radio station France
Musique, part of the public service Radio France group.

"CielEcran is trailbreaking a new activity in France to deliver
alternative HD content to large screens in cinemas and auditoriums,"
commented CielEcran Managing Director Marc Welinski. "These transmissions are
only possible because of advances in digital technology, the availability of
high-power satellites to transmit the HD signal and the increasing deployment
in theatres of new HD projection systems."

Olivier Millies-Lacroix, Eutelsat Commercial Director commented "The
enthusiastic response to the HD performance of La Boheme on April 6 confirms
that there is a real market for alternative Out-of-Home HD transmissions on
large screens. In this new digital media activity satellites have the key
benefits of assembling quality, reliability and maximum flexibility."

Following the success of offering the experience of live world-class
opera performances, CielEcran will be using Eutelsat satellite capacity to
show six matches of the UEFA Euro 2008(TM) in June to 50 cinemas equipped for
high-definition reception.

http://www.cielecran.com

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 more information:

CielEcran
Michelle Lair / Marie Desnoulez
Tel : +33-1-56-40-23-82
michellelair@club-internet.fr

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 more information: CielEcran, Michelle Lair / Marie Desnoulez, Tel : +33-1-56-40-23-82, michellelair@club-internet.fr. 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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