Satnews
by Tina Knisley on February 01, 2012
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Clear Channel Satellite has finalized a multi-year partnership with KLAC AM 570 Fox Sports, the Flagship station for Dodgers Baseball. CCS will provide the space segment as they move their English-language radio broadcasts from 790 KABC to KLAC AM 570. The contract covers all 162 regular season games, the postgame show – DodgerTalk, any potential postseason games and at least seven spring training games to be broadcast on AM 570 and the 22 affiliates of the Dodgers Radio Network. “We are excited to have another Major League Baseball team being delivered via satellite to radio affiliates,” said Monty Dent, Sales Manager, Clear Channel Satellite. The network will be utilizing Clear Channel Satellite’s StarGuide III Platform.
“We are excited to have another Major League Baseball team being delivered via satellite to radio affiliates”
KLAC AM 570 Fox Sports is not only the Flagship station for the Dodgers, they are also the Flagship station for the San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Kings, UCLA Bruins and the Los Angeles Galaxy. Broadcasting since 1924 under the call letters KFPG, KMTR and finally KLAC, they are one of only a handful of stations established in 1924 that are still on the air.
Clear Channel Satellite specializes in satellite communications for Radio Networks, TV Networks and Disaster Recovery. This includes equipment sales and professional installation when needed. We also provide colocation and data center services. CCS delivers unsurpassed 24/7/365 technical support. Our state-of-the-art, secure facility is located near Denver, Colorado with geographical redundancy that is also manned 24/7/365.
StarGuide is a digital multimedia distribution system and the best value for delivering both audio content and spots to affiliates. In North America, 8 out of 10 radio stations have a StarGuide satellite receiver available for receiving radio network content.
For more information about any of our services or equipment, contact Clear Channel Satellite sales at 800-345-8728 or sales@clearchannel.com.
by Monty Dent on January 08, 2012
ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Clear Channel Satellite is providing Sun Radio Network with satellite distribution for the Payne Nation program. Clear Channels Satellite’s coverage footprint covers all 50 states, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, providing high quality service for radio programmers and networks.
Payne Nation is an uplifting financial radio talk show that empowers the listener and clears up the fear and anxiety of the financial world today. Charles Payne shows listeners how they can make smart decisions about money, trading and investments through strategy and sound advice. Payne Nation is a unique alliance of news, issues and advice which features interviews with power players such as politicians, news makers, authors and impacting leaders of our nation. With his quick wit, candid opinion and experience on Wall Street, Charles Payne is like no one else on radio today. “From your money to today’s biggest issues. . . He’s America’s new and different voice of reason.”
Payne Nation features a Power Player of the Week highlighting an individual that has made a significant contribution in the world of finance or politics and is making a difference in bringing prosperity back to America. Every day during the Wall Street Rewind feature, Charles analyzes and recaps how the markets faired and how it impacts everyday life. He also regularly interviews news makers such as Eric Cantor, U.S. Representative and Herman Cain, former GOP Presidential Candidate.
“If you put in the hard work and believe in the American Dream, anything is possible.”
--Charles Payne
Sun Broadcast Group (Sun Radio Network), located in Boca Raton, FL, is a national broadcast network providing targeted content and advertising solutions across America with over 3,000 radio stations covering 99% of the U.S. population. In addition to programming and syndicating its own content, Sun Radio offers sales representation and programming support to syndicators and radio networks nationwide. To receive Payne Nation for your radio network or station, please contact Steve Gallagher at Sun Radio Network, 800-871-6163 or visit Sun’s website at www.sunbgi.com.
Clear Channel Satellite specializes in satellite communications for Radio Networks, TV Networks and Disaster Recovery. This includes equipment sales and professional installation when needed. We also provide colocation and data center services. CCS delivers unsurpassed 24/7/365 technical support. Our state-of-the-art, secure facility is located near Denver, Colorado with geographical redundancy that is also manned 24/7/365.
by News Staff on August 31, 2011
It’s good to see fresh investment in radio: PD and Radio Consultant Kent Phillips, Timeless Cool Music founder Mark Follett and Hambleton Resources principal Bert Hambleton have united to form a new radio investment company "Timeless Cool Custom Programming" (TCCP) that already includes national sales rep firm The Tacher Company and Mike Gould’s Eastlan Ratings. TCCP's mission is to syndicate formats and provide consulting services for station programming.
The trio said in a release it believes in Eastlan’s phone-survey methodology, larger sampling and their more economical pricing structure in a tough economy for broadcasters: “This investment will add affiliates and enhance the use of cell-phone sampling. making Eastlan the new industry standard in non-PPM markets. TCCP also plans to invest in the use of barter, in situations where stations qualify, to provide more options for broadcasters to pay for ratings.”
As to Bellevue, WA-based Tacher Company's investment in “Timeless Cool Custom Programming," it aims to allow smaller and medium size markets to have better access to both regional and national advertising dollars. Tacher, which started as a northwest regional rep over 40 years ago currently represents more than 300 radio stations. They recently opened offices in Los Angeles, Boston and Atlanta to broaden its national footprint. This investment will allow Tacher to open additional offices to help expand their station client base across the country.
Tacher President Greg Tacher tells RBR-TVBR: "We’re delighted to be working with these companies and the growth opportunities our partnership brings. Together we’re continuing to invest in radio and our station clients to better serve the national sales arena. As we enter our 44th year, we’re as optimistic as ever for growing sales revenue for our partners."
He adds that the amount is being kept private, "but it allows us to do some immediate expansion."
RBR-TVBR asked Scott Gilreath, TCCP Director of Corporate & Major Market Affiliations, if the investment trio managed to find any lender willing to finance such a venture in the current environment, or did they put up 100% equity funding?
"The new private equity company investors put up the initial cash," he said, "but have a banking relationship to invest in or acquire interesting assets if they want to use it."
The new investment group (www.timelesscoolcustomprogramming.com) will not only continue to syndicate Timeless Cool, the fastest growing AC format in America, but now also provides the Country, Hot AC, and Classic Hits formats as Phillips merges his consulting company into the new company. TCCP’s emphasis is on providing radio companies with highly researched custom formats. Timeless Cool Custom Programming's Affiliate team will rep these formats.
In addition to Kent Phillips consulting both Hot AC & Country formats (he’s also the Morning show host and PD of Fisher Broadcasting’s KPLZ-FM), Rob Moore will continue to program Cool AC and veteran programmer Jay Kelly will handle Classic Hits. Moore, creator of Timeless Cool AC as well as The Breeze format in 1987,is a multi-award winning PD for stations in Minneapolis and New Orleans. Jay Kelly has spent the last 16 years programming Entercom's KBSG and Clear Channel's KJR, both legendary oldies stations in Seattle.
Phillips consults multiple radio stations including over half dozen stations in PPM markets that are rated number 1 in their format. He’s also owned several stations primarily in the Northwest.
Follett launched Timeless Cool in February of 2010. For the last 11 years, he has also lead a team that has invested in multiple radio stations and strategic radio formats.
Hambleton Resources is research firm that has helped develop marketing strategy for hundreds of small and mid-sized companies in both the retail and communication industries over the past 30 years.
news provided by RBR.com
by Tina Knisley on July 26, 2011
Beginning August 1st, 2011, Clear Channel Satellite will uplink an X-Digital (XDS) satellite carrier on SES World Skies AMC-1 Ku located at 103°W Mike Hagans at Clear Channel Satellite Services explains, “The new (Ku Band) carrier allows the same inexpensive Pro1 and Pro4 XDS receivers to receive programming using a much smaller dish. This positions us well for distributing audio networks for retail, and as an inexpensive option for radio networks with stations that do not have space for a big C-band dish. It’s also an excellent replacement for radio networks currently using Legacy SCPC gear. The XDS platform allows for advanced features like time shift delay playback and regionalized spot insertions – and now you can get those features using a smaller, inexpensive dish.” Monty Dent, the Sales Manager for Clear Channel Satellite explains, “Radio networks have to invest a lot of capital when building an earth station at their facility. By simply backhauling the audio content to our X-Digital Hub, it eliminates that major expense while increasing their margins.” The X-Digital satellite receivers allow for live broadcasts, store and forward, copy split/spot insertion – localized advertising, live audio record/playback (time shifting) and addressability.
You can also see the press release at CNBC
by News Staff on June 30, 2011
30th June 2011: Expand Networks, the leader in optimizing WANs for branch office consolidation and virtualization, today announced that Clear Creek County Colorado Sheriff’s Department, is benefitting from an innovative and unique communications system designed for operating in extremely challenging terrain and conditions. The system is comprised of cutting-edge communications technologies from Expand Networks and delivered by Clear Channel Satellite.
Combining Expand Networks’ Satellite optimization technology with Clear Channel’s popular XtremeSatTM internet over satellite platform, the system allows for high speed broadband data and VoIP in a highly portable package.
Bob Exum, Sales Engineer for Clear Channel Satellite stated, “The system Clear Channel Satellite has developed for the Clear Creek County Sheriff will assist deputies in responding to, and managing incidents throughout their county and, for the first time, it will allow for critical communications from difficult areas where it was never available before.”
Expand Networks’ data acceleration and link optimization solution is increasing data throughput up to 10 times. The Expand Accelerator, with integrated Space Communication Protocol Standard (SCPS) technology, mitigates the effect of low bandwidth and high latency obstacles that can traditionally impede the speed and performance of applications over satellite links. Combining SCPS with compression, byte-level caching and layer 7 QoS, Expand’s protocol agnostic approach accelerates all critical productivity tools and business applications across even the most extreme satellite environments.
According to Howard Teicher, Expand Networks Vice President for Satellite Markets, “the Clear Channel Satellite service unambiguously demonstrates the productivity and cost benefits of WAN Optimization technologies in wireless environments by increasing the virtual bandwidth of the network; increasing the value of network investment, lowering network operating and recurring costs while simultaneously enabling public safety, tele-health, distance learning, and economic development activity in rural areas.”
The system at Clear Creek also incorporated RAD Data Communications two-part solution with its patented VMux, TDMoIP Voice compression for up to 8 simultaneous phone calls and RAD’s Air Mux 400 for phone/data connectivity up to 10 miles away from the satellite uplink. The was critical for Clear Creek solution as they frequently need to operate in areas with tall mountains and steep canyon walls that won’t always allow for a satellite connection. The implemented solution enables the satellite system to be located on a mountain top with the rest of the communications system on the canyon floor.
About Expand Networks
Expand Networks is the pioneer and leader in the WAN Optimization market and is positioned by Gartner Inc. in the ‘Leaders’ quadrant in its Magic Quadrant for WAN Optimization Controllers, 2009[i]. Expand helps organizations simplify their IT infrastructure while delivering remote offices fast, reliable and secure access to networked applications. This results in improved user productivity and cost-effective IT management. Expand offers a multi-service integrated platform that ensures superior performance for any application over any network. From its headquarters in Roseland, NJ and its global locations, Expand Networks serves more than 3,500 enterprise and public sector customers in over 100 countries including: American Express, Bacardi USA, BMW, Continental Airlines, Carr America, Colgate, Elizabeth Arden, Reed Exhibitions, Target and United States Department of Defense with over 40,000 units deployed and over 2,000 MS Terminal Services and Citrix customers. Expand is the largest supplier of WAN Optimization products to US Government and Military agencies (greater than 10,000 units) and also has the most units deployed at a single corporate location, (4,500).
by Monty Dent on June 23, 2011
Georgetown, CO June 8, 2011 – Clear Channel Satellite Services, Englewood, CO, announced delivery of an innovative and unique communications system to the Clear Creek County Colorado Sheriff’s Department, designed for operating in extremely challenging terrain and conditions.
The system is comprised of cutting-edge communications technologies from Expand Networks and RAD Data Communications. Clear Channel Satellite has combined these technologies with its popular XtremeSatTM internet over satellite platform. The system allows for high speed broadband data and VoIP in a highly portable package. Expand Networks provided its extremely efficient data acceleration and link optimization solution to increase data throughput up to 10 times. RAD Data Communications provided a two-part solution with its patented VMux, TDMoIP Voice compression for up to 8 simultaneous phone calls and RAD’s Air Mux 400 which is a spread spectrum IP microwave link allowing for phone/data connectivity up to 10 miles away from the satellite uplink. This was critical for the Clear Creek solution as they frequently need to operate in areas with tall mountains and steep canyon walls that won’t always allow for a satellite connection. With the Air Mux configuration, the satellite system can be located on a mountain top with the rest of the communications system on the canyon floor. Bob Exum, Sales Engineer for Clear Channel Satellite stated, “The system Clear Channel Satellite has developed for the Clear Creek County Sheriff will assist deputies in responding to, and managing incidents throughout their county and, for the first time, it will allow for critical communications from difficult areas where it was never available before.”
Clear Channel Satellite is an innovative provider of satellite services and products, specializing in network distribution, full-featured syndication services, raw bandwidth sales, and IP over satellite solutions for remote operational communications, business continuity, and disaster recovery.
Expand Networks helped pioneer the Wide Area Network (WAN) Optimization market. Founded in 1998, Expand Networks has grown into the leading provider of "Virtual Proximity" solutions over the WAN. Expand Networks has over 4,500 customers with 50,000+ units deployed and boasts the industry’s largest installation of over 3,000 devices.
RAD Data Communications, is an award-winning manufacturer of cost-effective access and backhaul solutions for mobile and fixed line carriers, service providers, government agencies, transportation systems, and public utilities. Expertise in international markets, strict adherence to quality standards, environmentally friendly operations, together with a corporate culture that encourages long-term relationships with customers, suppliers, and employees, combine to make RAD the perfect partner for all your telecommunications and data communications projects.
For more information on RAD, Expand, or XtremeSatTM, contact the Clear Channel Satellite sales team can be reached at 800-345-8728 or by email at sales@clearchannelsatellite.com
by News Staff on May 12, 2011
NASHVILLE- May 5, 2011 - CMT and its pro-social initiative CMT One Country will air a live, 90-minute concert special featuring Hank Williams, Jr. and Alabama, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Ronnie Dunn, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and many others to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the recent devastating storms, flooding and tornadoes. The fundraising special will air live from Nashville on Thursday, May 12 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT on CMT and will be simulcast on CMT.com. Additional artists to be announced; all money raised will benefit the American Red Cross Disaster Relief efforts.
Hank Williams, Jr. got the ball rolling on the fundraising event this past weekend when he reached out to CMT to express his urgent desire to address the disaster: "I just couldn't believe what I was seeing on TV. Alabama is home - I am really pumped about helping. I want to raise lot of money, and thanks to my good friends, we are going to be able to make a difference."
"CMT's audience is reaching out to us, and to our stars, in desperation," said Brian Philips, president, CMT. "The other seismic news events of the past few days have had the unintended effect of limiting media coverage of this massive, historic American disaster. Simply put, CMT and our artists will not allow this to happen. We will raise money, and we will shine the brightest possible light on the urgent needs of our courageous neighbors. On behalf of CMT, MTV Networks and Viacom, we strongly urge other organizations to join us in this labor of love."
"Our hearts go out to every person affected by these storms, and we're grateful for every donation that enables the Red Cross to do whatever we possibly can do to ease their suffering and give them help," said Gail McGovern, president and CEO of the American Red Cross.
by News Staff on November 05, 2010
Extending a ten-year alliance, SES WORLD SKIES, a division of SES S.A. (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), has announced that Clear Channel has renewed capacity deals for 144 MHz on four satellites to deliver connectivity and content to subscribers and audiences nationwide.
Under the agreements, Clear Channel has secured 46 MHz on SES-1, 36 MHz on AMC-8, 36 MHz on AMC-9 and 26 MHz on AMC-1 to offer a wide range of services, including radio broadcast and backhaul, Internet access, SNG and turnkey disaster recovery communications. Thousands of commercial radio stations across the U.S. use Clear Channel for satellite-delivered content, distribution, or emergency backup services. Television stations from coast to coast rely on Clear Channel’s 24/7 Network Operations center for SNG bandwidth to cover breaking news. Clear Channel’s satellite-delivered Internet access and disaster recovery services are experiencing significant growth on the SES WORLD SKIES fleet.
by Monty Dent on September 13, 2010
Please be advised that on Tuesday September 21, 2010 at precisely 12:00 noon MDT, Clear Channel Satellite will begin initiating a frequency and data rate adjustment to our Starguide III service on AMC 8 transponder 21.
CCSS will send the new frequency and data rate command to all receivers currently locked to our carrier. This will allow them to automatically transition at the required time. In the unlikely event that a receiver does not process the command properly, manual tuning instructions are listed below.
At the time of the switchover, receivers will experience a 1 minute outage as they unlock from the old carrier and transition to the new one. CCSS strongly recommends that all stations please check the status of the Starguide receiver(s) after the event to ensure it is still displaying green indicators for “Signal”, “Sync” and “Power”. We expect the EB and AG values to remain consistent with the current feed.
For additional information regarding this event, please contact the Clear Channel Satellite Technical Support department at (303) 925 1708 at any time or email ccsshelpdesk@clearchannel.com
Manual Tuning Instructions
1) From the default screen that indicates Starguide III EB xx AGxx, press the Enter button and press the right arrow over to “Carrier Menu” and press the Enter button again.
2) Use the right arrow to navigate to “Manual Entry” and press Enter.
3) Change the Manual Entry Freq: to 1017800 KHZ and press Enter to save.
4) Change the Manual Entry Rate: to 06912000 BPS and press Enter to save.
5) Manual Entry VIT: remains at 2/3. Press Enter to exit the Carrier Menu.
The receiver should now lock to the new carrier. Please verify that it is tuned to the proper channel for your programming.
by Robert Traw on September 13, 2010
NASHVILLE, TN.-The Special Olympics of Tennessee is hosting a fundraiser, Over the Edge, on Friday, September 10th for the Special Olympics. Anyone brave enough can rappel down the side of the Nashville City Center Building. Hiscall Inc will be sponsoring a rappeller, nicknamed the “Hiscall Super Hero”, raising $1000 to benefit the Special Olympics of Tennessee.
The Hiscall Mobile Communications Center and “Hiscall Heroes” will also be on hand distributing bottles of water to the rappellers, staff, and spectators. The event runs from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, with the Hiscall Hero, cape and all rappelling around 10:00 am. Wireless Internet will be provided by ClearChannel Satellite Services, Denver Colorado.
Hiscall is an all-encompassing, turnkey provider of communications systems, meeting the cabling, data networking, Audio Visual, security and/or telephony challenges of organizations large and small. Hiscall has been delivering expert technical consultation, elegant solutions and superior service since 1995 with a versatile business model that enables it to partner with organizations on small, isolated projects as well as complex projects large in scale. Whether modernizing a small business telephone system or architecting, implementing and servicing a fully unified communications infrastructure at a university, hospital or Fortune-500 company Hiscall mobilizes the in-house resources and expertise necessary to satisfy each customer's unique expectations.
by News Staff on August 17, 2010
Clear Channel Satellite joins the Texas Association of Broadcasters. TAB continuously delivers a broad range of services to members that directly help stations improve their operating efficiency, avert costly legal missteps, train sales and news teams, comply with complex government regulations and recruit new staff.
TAB presents the largest state broadcast gathering in the country, attracting more than 1,200 delegates and featuring 114 exhibit booths showcasing the latest industry technology and services
by Monty Dent on July 07, 2010
Cherry Creek Radio in Montrose, CO put out the word for listeners to join a foot search for KBNG-FM “103.7 The Blast” morning host Rick Steele, who has been missing since Thursday Evening (7/1). Authorities used search dogs throughout the holiday weekend, but did not find the 48-year-old DJ.
Steele failed to show up for work Friday morning and it was determined that a friend saw him pull out of his driveway about 7:00 pm Thursday in his Ford pickup truck. Co-workers located the truck near Highway 50 east of Montrose, unlocked, with one of Steele’s two dogs inside. That’s when the local sheriff’s office became involved in the search.
Steele’s other dog was later found wandering along a road in the area, but there has yet been no sign of him. A land and water search by the Montrose county Sheriff’s Posse along the South Canal, including K9 units, was unsuccessful.
“Investigators and Posse members believe Steele somehow wound up in the high, swiftly moving canal waters either as the result of a fall or in trying to rescue a dog that fell in. All calls to Steele since Friday morning have gone immediately to voicemail. No personal items of Steele’s were found and there is no indication of foul play,” Cherry Creek Radio Montrose said on its website.
The Sheriff’s office has now removed restrictions on allowing people into the area and a public search was being organized by friends of Steele, using Cherry Creek Radio to put out the word, for Monday evening. The radio stations, however, are urging volunteers to “PLEASE put your own safety first when searching for Rick…the last thing anyone wants is another disappearance or injury.”
Courtesy of RBR.com
by Monty Dent on June 04, 2010
PARIS — The world’s two largest commercial satellite fleet operators have negotiated the passage of an out-of-control satellite owned by one of them though the orbital neighborhood of the other with no loss of signals to the latter company’s customers. In what they described as perhaps their finest hour of engineering, Intelsat and SES successfully performed a series of hide-and-seek maneuvers 36,000 kilometers above the equator the weekend of May 30-June 1 to avoid what could have been major interference for the cable television customers of SES’s AMC-11 satellite caused by the wayward Galaxy 15 spacecraft. In June 2 interviews, officials from the two companies attributed their success in avoiding a disaster to the pinpoint precision of a large Intelsat antenna and some deft satellite positioning by SES. “We observed exactly what we expected to observe, when we expected to observe it,” said Alan Young, chief technology officer for SES World Skies, the division of Luxembourg-based SES that manages AMC-11. During the peak interference threat period starting late in the evening Eastern time May 30, SES guided AMC-11 to within 0.2 degrees of Intelsat’s encroaching Galaxy 15 satellite — 10 times closer than what is considered optimal to avoid interference — as the two satellites crossed paths.
source: Space News
by Monty Dent on May 24, 2010
SES WORLD SKIES, announced plans for an intricate set of orbital manoeuvres later this month aimed at steering its AMC-11 satellite and its customers clear of interference from Intelsat’s troubled Galaxy 15 spacecraft, referred to in recent media coverage as the “Zombie” satellite. “A team of our best engineers and scientists is working around the clock to ensure the success of this unprecedented mission.” As the stray satellite nears AMC-11’s orbital location at 131 degrees west, SES WORLD SKIES plans to have AMC-11 match the eastward drift of Galaxy 15 in order to maintain a minimum separation between the two satellites. This synchronized drift is designed to protect AMC-11 services from interference caused by Galaxy 15. At the same time, SES WORLD SKIES will move its new SES-1 satellite to the opposite side of Galaxy 15, thereby enabling some customers, including cable television networks, to leapfrog their broadcasts over interference caused by the wandering spacecraft. Customers will either be able to maintain services on AMC-11 during its drift, or repoint antennas to SES-1 in order to best protect their services. For those customers who will stay on AMC-11 throughout the mission, their television programming will be delivered over a large 19-meter antenna capable of minimizing potential disruptions. SES WORLD SKIES expects to initiate the synchronized eastwards drift of AMC-11 on May 25, and estimates that the risk of interference will end on June 7 when Galaxy 15 exits the area about 22,000 miles above the earth’s surface. “This extraordinary technical initiative underscores our commitment to finding innovative solutions to minimize the impact of an unexpected event like this on our customers,” said Alan Young, Chief Technology Officer for SES WORLD SKIES. “A team of our best engineers and scientists is working around the clock to ensure the success of this unprecedented mission.” Young also noted that the company has been in regular close contact with its customers in order to brief them on the operation and prepare them for the necessary manoeuvres.
article provided by Talk Satellite
by Monty Dent on April 29, 2010
International Launch Services (ILS), successfully carried the SES-1 satellite directly into geostationary orbit today on an ILS Proton for SES WORLD SKIES, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG). This was the third ILS Proton launch and the fifth overall Proton launch this year. The SES-1 satellite was also the 22 consecutive successful Proton launch in 21 months.
The ILS Proton Breeze M launched from Pad 39 at the Cosmodrome at 5:19 p.m. today local time (7:19 a.m. EDT, 11:19 GMT). After an eight-hour, 58-minute mission, the Breeze M successfully released the SES-1 satellite directly into geostationary orbit.
This was the 356 launch for Proton since its inaugural flight in 1965, and the 59 ILS Proton launch overall. The Proton Breeze M launch vehicle was developed and built by Khrunichev Research and Production Space Center of Moscow, one of the pillars of the Russian space industry and the majority shareholder in ILS.
The SES-1 satellite was built on Orbital’s space-proven Star 2.4 platform and will replace SES’ existing AMC-2 and AMC-4 satellites at the orbital position of 101 degrees West. SES-1 is an integral part of SES’ satellite replacement program over North America. The spacecraft carries 24 C-band transponders as well as 24 Ku-band transponders of 36 MHz capacity each and has been designed to have a minimum expected service time of 15 years.
Frank McKenna, ILS President said, “With our long term partners, SES, this is our 17th mission together, dating back to the inaugural commercial launch of ILS Proton with SES’s Astra 1F fourteen years ago. ILS is pleased to again provide to SES outstanding value, and on-time direct-into-GSO delivery of SES-1 to serve millions of North American customers with new services. We thank the teams of ILS, Khrunichev, SES and Orbital for their dedication to this important mission which kicks off SES’s comprehensive replacement program over North America.”
Rob Bednarek, President and CEO of SES WORLD SKIES said, “The successful, on-time launch on ILS Proton of SES-1 marks a very significant event for our North American customers. SES-1 will provide uninterrupted replacement capacity for SES WORLD SKIES, providing TV programming into every cable network in America. This is the first of five SES missions on ILS Proton in the next 18 months. We look forward to our future launches with ILS and the same quality and schedule assurance that we have come to count on for the continued expansion and replacement of our satellite fleet.”