MultiChoice expands Ku-band coverage with Eutelsat W7

South Africa-based pay-TV provider MultiChoice Africa has signed up for 20 transponders on satellite operator Eutelsat’s new W7 satellite at the 36° East orbital position.

Ranked as one of the largest contracts concluded by the Paris-based satellite operator, the agreement extends MultiChoice’s existing relationship with Eutelsat to 2025. The pay-TV operator has almost completed transferring channels from the 14 transponders it previously had on W4 and Sesat 1 at the same position. The remaining six transponders will be used to offer new services including HD. The move to W7 consolidates its DStv platform on one satellite and extends Ku-band coverage, including to countries that previously could only receive the service in C-band, notably Ethiopia.