Telefónica turns to Eutelsat for RTVE channels

Spanish telecom operator Telefónica has signed a multi-year capacity contract for public broadcaster RTVE with satellite operator Eutelsat for capacity at its flagship Hotbird neighbourhood.

Telefónica has chosen Eutelsat’s key orbital position at 13° East to broadcast RTVE free-to-air content consisting of two HD channels: TVE Internacional Europa, the broadcaster’s international Spanish general interest channel, and the news channel, 24 Horas, as well as six Radio Nacional de España radio stations.

Eutelsat said that RTVE will soon benefit from the audience of its hotspot covering Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The pubcaster’s channels were previously distributed on the 19.2° East orbital position operated by rival SES.

Philippe Oliva, Eutelsat’s chief commercial officer: “We are proud to have been selected by Telefónica to broadcast the content of a major public broadcaster on Hotbird. This demonstrates both the benefit of satellite as a broadcast infrastructure and the attractiveness of Hotbird as a key neighbourhood across Europe and the MENA region.”

Francisco Panduro, EMEA sales manager, Telefónica audiovisual services: “Thanks to this partnership with Eutelsat, we are delighted that Spanish and Hispanic households across Europe will soon be able to enjoy a rich offer of video and radio content from both TVE and RNE.”