Russian Broadcaster National Satellite Company Boosts Capacity on Eutelsat's Eurobird(TM) 9 Satellite for New Digital Package

Russian Broadcaster National Satellite Company Boosts Capacity on Eutelsat's Eurobird(TM) 9 Satellite for New Digital Package

PARIS, January 30/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Following on from the successful launch in 2008 of Platforma
HD on the EUROBIRD(TM) 9 satellite of Eutelsat Communications (Euronext
Paris: ETL), the Russian pay-TV operator National Satellite Company is
complementing and significantly expanding its offer with a new package called
Platforma DV of 20 Standard Digital channels. Platforma DV will launch on
February 1 via a second transponder leased by National Satellite Company on
Eutelsat's EUROBIRD(TM) 9 satellite which provides extensive reach to
satellite homes across the European territory of Russia.

The 20 Standard Digital channels will include flagship Russian
channels covering sport, music, cinema, news and lifestyle: Rossija, Sport,
Vesti, Kultura, Bibigon, Pervyj, Pjatyj, NTV, TNT, STS, Ren TV, Muz TV, Zoo
TV, Kinopokaz, Teleputesestvija, Tonus TV, Avto Plus, Kuchnja TV, Komedija TV
and 365 Days. The new platform will be available to Direct-to-Home
subscribers using 60-90cm antennas in western parts of Russia. Platforma DV
will cost subscribers R900 (EUR20) a year and offer a supplement to Platforma
HD, which broadcasts five HD channels (Kinopokaz HD, Eurosport, National
Geographic Channel, HD Life and MTVN HD) for an annual subscription of R3,600
(EUR80). Subscribers choosing to take both SD and HD packages will pay R4,200
(EUR93) a year.

Platforma HD and DV use DRE encryption for the system. Two
types of decoder are available (the HUMAX HDCI-2000 and General Satellite's
HD-9000) enabling reception of channels in DVB-S2, Standard Definition and in
High-Definition.

Commenting on the launch of Platforma DV, Konstantin Yashin,
Chairman of Platforma HD declared: "With the launch of our new package,
subscribers already attracted by High-Definition television can add a
valuable set of traditional Standard Digital channels offering excellent
quality."

Olivier Millies-Lacroix, Eutelsat's Commercial Director added:
"The launch of Platform DV as a complement to Platforma HD shows the strong
appetite of Russian satellite homes for a wide variety of content and further
anchors EUROBIRD(TM) 9 as a neighbourhood of choice in this region. We are
very pleased to accompany the expansion of new video platforms in Russia's
dynamic new media landscape."

http://www.platformahd.ru

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 more information on Platforma HD and DV

Press contact:
Marina Nahatova
Tel: +7-812-320-11-68
e-mail: nahatova@platformahd.ru

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 more information on Platforma HD and DV, Press contact: Marina Nahatova, Tel: +7-812-320-11-68, e-mail: nahatova@platformahd.ru

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