Eutelsat Communications Inks Key Contracts With Telespazio for Broadcasting RAI Channels at the Hot Bird(TM) Video Neighbourhood

Eutelsat Communications Inks Key Contracts With Telespazio for Broadcasting RAI Channels at the Hot Bird(TM) Video Neighbourhood

ROME and PARIS, January 19/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) and Telespazio,
a Finmeccanica/Thales company, announce the signature of an agreement to 2020
for capacity at the 13degrees East HOT BIRD(TM) video neighbourhood. The
agreement concerns the lease of two transponders for broadcasting a wide
range of television and radio channels produced by RAI, Italy's national
public broadcaster.

Currently broadcasting via HOT BIRD(TM) 8, the RAI channels
will transfer to Eutelsat's new HOT BIRD(TM) 9 satellite when it begins
commercial service at 13degrees East next month following its successful
launch on 20 December 2008.

The two transponders will assume broadcasting of RAI's
flagship national channels, RAI Uno, Rai Due and Rai Tre in addition to seven
thematic channels (Rai News 24, Rai Sport piu', Rai Gulp, Rai Med, Sat 2000,
Senato TV, Camera dei Deputati) and four educational channels (Rai Edu 1 and
2, Rai Nettuno Sat Uno, Rai Nettuno Sat Due). The capacity will also serve to
transmit RAI's eleven radio stations. All channels can be received by more
than seven million Italian homes equipped for Direct-to-Home reception of
Eutelsat's HOT BIRD(TM) satellites. The capacity is also used to deliver a
number of RAI's channels to cable headends across Europe, North Africa and
the Middle East within the footprint of the HOT BIRD(TM) satellites.

"Eutelsat has closely accompanied the emergence of satellite
television in Italy from its very beginnings, and is today the leading
supplier of satellite capacity in Italy, which represents our largest
market," commented Giuliano Berretta, Eutelsat Chairman and CEO. "RAI in
particular is one of our most longstanding broadcast customers, having
initiated transmissions with us over 20 years ago. We are delighted by the
renewal of these long-term allotment agreements, which testify to our close
relationship with Telespazio, a key customer at the HOT BIRD(TM)
neighbourhood and a privileged partner of major Italian broadcasting groups."

Giuseppe Veredice, CEO of Telespazio added: "Telespazio is
ready to pursue a long partnership with RAI and Eutelsat. The company has
been in partnership with RAI since the Italian broadcasting entity began
offering services via satellite and with Eutelsat since its inception. Under
the agreement, in addition to providing RAI with the necessary satellite
capacity to broadcast its TV and radio channels, Telespazio will provide high
quality, reliable transmission services, using its own equipment installed at
RAI premises and via the Fucino Space Centre."

About Telespazio

Telespazio, a joint venture between Finmeccanica (67%) and
Thales (33%), is a world leader in satellite services: from management of
satellites to Earth observation services, from satellite navigation to
broadband multimedia telecommunications. Telespazio plays a leading role in
the reference markets harnessing technological experience acquired over the
years and through its participation in major European space programs such as:
GALILEO, EGNOS, GMES and COSMO-SkyMed. The company in 2007 generated sales of
EUR 395 million, and employed around 1,700 staff.

http://www.telespazio.it

About Eutelsat Communications

Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL, ISIN code: FR0010221234) is
the holding company of Eutelsat S.A.. With capacity commercialised on 26
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 30 September 2008, Eutelsat's satellites were
broadcasting more than 3,180 television channels and 1,100 radio stations.
Almost 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 its
teleport in Italy that serves 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

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

For further information from Telespazio:

Paolo Mazzetti
Head of Press Relations Telespazio
Phone: +39-06-4079-6252
e-mail: paolo.mazzetti@telespazio.com

Source: Eutelsat Communications

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; For further information from Telespazio: Paolo Mazzetti, Head of Press Relations Telespazio, Phone: +39-06-4079-6252, e-mail: paolo.mazzetti@telespazio.com

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