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  • WealthTV's HD channels will continue to be broadcast via Intelsat's Galaxy 13 satellite

    19 May 2008

    WealthTV’s HD channels will continue to be broadcast via Intelsat’s Galaxy 13 satellite

    WealthTV, the luxury lifestyle and entertainment network, has signed a long-term extension of its transponder service agreement with Intelsat, Ltd., the world’s leading provider of commercial satellite services.
    Under the terms of the agreement, Intelsat’s Galaxy 13 satellite will continue to deliver WealthTV’s digital and high definition feeds to US cable, telco, and direct broadcast satellite (DBS) providers across North America.
    Charles Herring, president of WealthTV, said Intelsat’s Galaxy fleet offered the premier high definition neighborhood for cable networks transmitting into the North American region.

    “Our extension with Intelsat will let our distribution partners know that our feeds will remain available for years to come and the additional satellite capacity secured allows for future expansions,” he said.
    WealthTV uplinks directly to Galaxy 13 from its headquarters and high definition production studios located in San Diego, California.
    The on-site uplink of WealthTV provides direct control and avoids possible signal integrity loss associated with compression or transmission of the signal terrestrially over long distances.
    Kurt Riegelman, Intelsat’s Senior Vice President, Global Sales, said WealthTV was one of Galaxy’s original HD networks when it launched its services in June 2004. He said the extension demonstrated WealthTV’s continued confidence in the Galaxy fleet as the premier HD platform.
    “As high definition programming services continue to grow, the Galaxy fleet is the source for efficient, high value satellite distribution across North America,” he said.
    Intelsat’s Galaxy neighborhood offers satellite transmission services for HD and standard definition programming being distributed via cable, video, and DBS providers across North America.
    Located at 127 degrees west in the US cable arc, Galaxy 13 is the premier HD neighborhood, featuring many of the top HD cable programming networks in the United States.

  • Blue Ray Technologies expansion includes Hollywood plant to serve new BD and HD demand

    Blue Ray Technologies expansion includes Hollywood plant to serve new BD and HD demand

    Blue Ray Technologies is planning to open multiple Blu-Ray disc production facilities across the U.S, starting with a facility near Hollywood to be close to the indie and major studios that have now all adopted Blu-ray.
    The new facilities are designed to be capable of handling the next generation of movie and game discs, Blue-ray 2.0, which gives an interactive web dimension to the consumer, and offer up to “five layers of entertainment”, according to BRT founder Erick Hansen.

    Hansen, whose Hollywood move puts him closer to the studios he has worked with for years, has also been in negotiations with the major studios through an affiliated company for downloadable high definition content over the Internet.
    While being a pioneer in DVD and now championing Blu-ray discs, Hansen also believes in delivering the best in movie and game content in whatever form the consumer wants it.
    With the end of the format war, and 70% of the US having bought or buying HD screens (according to Nielsen figures) there is an “overwhelming” demand now for instant products in Blu-ray. Hansen says this is the present and future in the arena.
    He said this means multiple production and shipping locations are needed to serve the demand, something never done before at this end of the industry.
    Especially for TV shows, ranging from major sports reality TV shows, audiences want the programmes quickly.
    The company is upgrading its Spokane, WA, plant and the new facilities will be closer to Hollywood studios and networks.
    “We are looking for additional facilities in Southern California for the overwhelming demand for Blu-ray,” said Hansen.
    He added: “We will be looking to add additional capacity in the Mid-West and East Coast.”
    BRT’s expansion plans extend beyond the US: “By the end of the year, we will be working with strategic partnerships in Europe to build a world-class global digital distribution system.”