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This page is up-dated regularly with
the latest news on Satellite Television in the Australasian region
- so keep checking back! |
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03/11/2002 |
It has finally happened. Sahara TV has switched to digital on its existing frequency, with the one analogue channel being replaced by eight (yes eight, count 'em!!) digital channels. All but one are still showing colour bars, but they're worth keeping an eye on. And for you Sahara viewers who still haven't parted with the cash for a digital receiver, Sahara will continue to broadcast an analogue signal, for a limited time only, on 3,660 MHz Vertical.
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03/11/2002 |
This isn't going to last, but while it stays free-to-air enjoy it. NITV (Farsi from the USA), TVC (Spanish from Chile), KISB1 (from South Korea) and PTC (Serbia) are broadcasting direct and unencrypted on PanAmSat-2. This mux has the capacity for five more channels. When they show up and what they'll be is anyone's guess. When this frequency scrambles is also anyone's guess, but until then, enjoy!
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29/10/2002 |
It's been a VERY long time coming and will make many Chinese ex-pats in this part of the world VERY happy! STVB is one of the local and the most popular channels of China's largest city, Shanghai. Because of the large (and getting larger) number of Westerners living in this city, there is also some english-language programming on here. Shanghai sees itself as surpassing Hong Kong as the business entrance to China. STVB is well worth watching even if your Mandarin leaves a little to be desired.
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02/10/2002 |
This is the most popular of the 11 national channels of China Central Television and thus far, the first time it has been seen free-to-air in this part of the world. Whether it will be joined by any of its other CCTV siblings or whether it stays free-to-air, remains to be seen. In the meantime, enjoy!.
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29/09/2002 |
Yet another China provincial channel has joined this satellite free-to-air (thought we had all of them already). Like the others undoubtedly it will not encrypt - hopefully!
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12/08/2002 |
Without any advance warning, Indus News has begun transmitting regular programming on Asiasat-3S. We suspect that, despite its name, this channel is broadcasting from Pakistan, in the Urdu language. If anyone can confirm this, please email us.
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30/07/2002 |
After a couple of weeks of showing a test card, Jeevan TV has now started regular transmissions on Insat-2E - adding further to the number of free-to-air channels from India. If anyone knows the language Jeevan is broadcasting in, please email me to "aragorn@vicnet.net.au". Thanks in advance!
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24/07/2002 |
At last, signals from a new satellite into this part of the world!! JCSAT-2A has finally fired up a C-band transponder, broadcasting BYU-TV (Mormon TV from Brigham Young University). While the content may not make for rivetting TV, it's exciting to pick up a new satellite which will hopefully bring new channels FTA our way in the near future. This satellite is located at 154oC - which means it's just ever so slightly to the west of Optus-B3 - you shouldn't have much trouble locking onto it - the signals into Melbourne are remarkably strong!! Happy hunting!!
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25/06/2002 |
After a couple of false starts, Bali TV seems to have finally found its spot on this satellite and looks like it will remain free-to-air. Another channel for Bahasa speakers - and a nice strong signal too!
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02/06/2002 |
This seems to be a pay TV group of channels, so how long it stays free-to-air is anyone's guess. So, if your putonghua is up to scratch, enjoy it while it lasts. The channels include Macau East Life TV, MSTV, Chinese TV Guide, Macau New TV and Macau Asia Satellite TV.
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29/05/2002 |
After a period of chopping and changing, this Taiwanese mux seems to have stabilised and expanded. Channels include Tzu Chi, Power TV, Z Channel (for wrestling fans), Super TV, SET, TTV, CTV, CTS, and FTV.
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28/04/2002 |
After a short period of test-broadcasting on another frequency, Dubai-TV has now started permanently on its own frequency on Asiasat-2. For now, there are three channels - general entertainment, sports and business channels - but, with more to come! And the news gets better - Dubai TV has a policy of broadcasting free-to-air channels - so these are here to stay free-to-air for the foreseeable future at least!
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10/04/2002 |
After a period of time with nothing to report, it's a pity the first bit of news is bad. Al-Jazeera on Panamsat-2 has encrypted - and it is not anticipated to go free-to-air again. |
24/12/2001 |
A bit over a year ago, Australia Television (run by 7 Network) died on Palapa-C2M, which was sad for those of us who travel around Asia and relied on it for news from home during our travels. Now, thanks to the ABC, the service is about to be re-born as ABC ASIA PACIFIC. It has now begun testing two TV channels and two radio channels on Panamsat-8. Good one Auntie!
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15/12/2001 |
All has been pretty quiet lately and when new information comes along, it was hoped that the news would be good. Unfortunately, it isn't. Tech TV (on Asiasat-3S) and Fashion TV on Asiasat-2 have both now announced encryption dates for February 2002. Let's hope it's just rumours, but somehow, I doubt it. |
01/10/2001 |
Bloomberg Asia TV has joined the same frequency as NOW TV, Tech TV and H & W TV on Asiasat-3S. Whether this is a permanent arrangement is unknown as yet. Let's hope it stays free-to-air!
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29/09/2001 |
Worldnet/C-SPAN will turn off its analogue signal, the last remaining one on Asiasat 2, on October 10th. Co-inciding with that, their existing digital signal will move from 3765 MHz to 3880 MHz, which according to Worldnet, will enable them to provide additional channels.
New settings (from 10th October) will be: |
28/09/2001 |
To lose one Greek channel is unfortunate, but to lose another in less than two weeks is positively careless!!! But the unthinkable has happened. Antenna Pacific has left Panamsat -2 and is very unlikely to return - Foxtel and Optus are getting their feeds through the encrypted signal off Thaicom-3. This means that there is only one Greek channel left free-to-air in this part of the world - that's Alpha Skai. Can its encryption also be far off? In it's place is the Qatar-based arabic language channel Al-Jazeera which is anticipated will therefore turn off it's signal on 3901 MHz H in the very near future. |
22/09/2001 |
It was to be expected sooner or later, and it happened later, but it happened. Mega Cosmos has encrypted on Thaicom-3 and it is not expected that it will become free-to-air again while the rights to this channel are owned by a private company. |
10/09/2001 |
After threatening to do so several times in the past, LBC Australia has finallty encrypted in Irdeto on Panamsat-2. ART, Antenna Pacific and RAI International, all on the same frequency as LBC, are still free-to-air - but who knows for how long? Also could be some doubt about the free-to-air future of Al-Jazeera, the arabic language news channel on that same satelellite. |
29/08/2001 |
Indusvision has joined its stablemate Indus Music by going digital - expect the Indusvision analogue signal to turn off in the not too distant future. While there are no guarantees ever in this caper, it is believed that these two Indus channels are to remain free-to-air.
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03/08/2001 |
It's been musical chairs on this frequency of late. Saudi 1 and Muslim TV are still there - but the Kuwaiti Space channel has disappeared only to be replaced by three (yes, THREE) channels from Dubai - Dubai EDTV (variety), Dubai Business Channel, and Dubai Sports Channel. (The sports channel has two audio carriers - one arabic and one english). Let's see how long these new channels last...hmmmm!
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06/07/2001 |
Asianet Global switches on its digital channel today on Insat-2E. That means, of course, that it's probably only a matter of time before the analogue service on the same satellite turns off.
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03/07/2001 |
Lost your CCTV yet AGAIN? You really ARE getting very careless. CCTV has changed frequencies and symbol rates on Asiasat-3S. Try to be more careful in future!!
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03/07/2001 |
Lost your CCTV? Never fear! CCTV has just played musical satellites, jumping from Panamsat-2 to Panamsat-8.
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24/06/2001 |
As has been expected for some time now, MCM (the excellent European music channel) has moved from Asiasat-2 to Panamsat-4. The bad news is that we can't see Panamsat-4 from this part of the world.and, unless they have a change of heart, MCM will be missing for the foreseeable future. Very sad! |
21/06/2001 |
After disappearing from this satellite to Panamsat-4 (which cannot be seen here) some months ago, the demand for this Urdu language channel in this part of the world must be sufficiently great to have brought on its return. Whatever the reasons, Urdu (and Hindi) speakers - enjoy!
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15/06/2001 |
ETV Bangla has now turned off one of its analogue services and replaced it with a 6 channel mux all in different languages - Telugu, Bangla, Marathi, Kannada, Urdu and Oriya. Enjoy the variety!
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11/06/2001 |
More Mandarin language TV has started in this part of the world. Macau's 5 Star TV has started on Asiasat-2 with a two-channel package - its Pop channel and its Finance channel. Nice strong signals too!
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30/05/2001 |
Hot on the heels of one Arabic language channel starting yesterday, another starts today - one of ART's family channels. However, while it is free to air now, it's doubtful that it will stay this way in the long term. Enjoy it while it lasts!
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29/05/2001 |
This Kuwaiti satellite channel has joined Saudi One and MTA to provide another free-to-air Arabic language service to this part of the world.
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11/05/2001 |
CNBC Asia has gone digital and joined the Channel News Asia group of channels on Palapa-C2. It looks like only a matter of time before the analogue signal turns off.!
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07/04/2001 |
Great news for any South Korean expats out there - a "bouquet" of three South Korean networks has now regular free-to-air broadcasts into this part of the world. The channels are MBC, KBS and YTN. Enjoy!
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07/04/2001 |
After lots of bad news lately, finally there is some GREAT news! TechTV (formerly known as ZDTV) has started on Asiasat-3S (within the NOW TV mux). ZDTV is the premier internet and technology cable channel from the USA and is now going worldwide in the guise of TechTV. Enjoy! Let's hope it stays free-to-air!
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01/04/20001 |
For whatever reason, Zee TV has been quick to change its frequency to take up the slot that, until recently, was the home of UTN (which has now moved to Panamsat-4).
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28/03/20001 |
There have been similar rumours in the past, but this time they are stronger than ever - that LBC/ART will encrypt on May 1st. There have been reports that encryption has been tested there over the last couple of months. Whether the encryption covers Antenna Pacific and RAI International is uncertain at this stage. Be alert for more news about this. If you are planning to install a system for LBC/ART specifically, our advice is to wait! |
27/03/20001 |
UTN has left Asiasat-3S and moved to Panamsat-4. The bad news is that the footprint of Panamsat-4 does not cover the south-east corner of Australia |
23/03/20001 |
After a constantly precarious existence first under the ABC and then within the Seven Network, Seven executives have finally decided to pull the plug on ATV and cut their losses. The channel has now gone off-air leaving Aussies like me, who travel frequently to Asia, to have to look elsewhere for their up-to-date news from home. The rumour-mill suggests that the Australian government is looking at other options to take over as the Australian TV presence in Asia. Let's hope the newcomer lifts the standard of programming offered and makes a success of the venture. |
01/02/20001 |
It was going to happen eventually - and it has. CNNI has encrypted its signal on Panamsat-8 and, for the first time in about 10 years, is no longer visible free-to-air. Only CNNfn on that frequency remains unencrypted. |
01/02/2001 |
As predicted back in Otcober 2000, Zee News have turned off their analogue signal and gone digital only.
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07/01/2001 |
Both these channels are now free-to-air despite the fact that all other channels on these Star TV frequencies remain encrypted. The significance of this is that if you've been watching Phoenix Chinese on the analogue frequency, your days are probably numbered - time to get a digital receiver!
Settings for Phoenix Chinese are:
Settings for Phoenix InfoNews are:
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31/12/2000 |
Yet another regional channel has started on Asiasat-2 - Beijing TV. It's signal appears to be a little weaker than the other Chinese channels, but it should lock if you have a halfway decent digital receiver. Enjoy!.
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25/12/2000 |
The ERTU seems to have bowed to pressure from arabic-speakers in the rest of Asia by returning ESC to the free-to-air status it had when it was an analogue transmission. ESC became encrypted when it joined the channels offered by an Australian pay-TV operator - and in the process, cut off every other arabic-speaker throughout Asia. It also began a particularly nasty precedent of a non-commercial, government-owned channel being available ONLY as a pay-TV service. All other channels on this frequency remain encrypted, but let's hope that ESC, at least, remains free-to-air
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24/11/2000 |
Australia Television and TVRI (the Indonesian government channel) have now started testing digital broadcasts. Right now, they are just their analogue signals being put up into digital and the audio is missing, but watch this space for developments. Sharing this frequency is the first test broadcast of Metro TV, a brand new Indonesian news and current affairs channel which seems to be broadcasting a great deal in english. Enjoy!.
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20/11/2000 |
Many Axiom clients were sent into a tail-spin when these very popular channels apparently disappeared. What actually happened was that the frequency was changed unannounced - a change which.took everyone by surprise. Anyway, all seems to have settled down now - at least until the next time!
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13/10/2000 |
The long awaited education channel of Zee TV has finally commenced transmission. Programming seems to be predominantly in english and looks interesting enough. However, don't get too used to it - it is predicted that this channel will join it's Zee sister channels and encrypt early in 2001.
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11/10/2000 |
RTL Tele Letzebuerg , which only appeared last week, disappeared just as quickly. It turns out that it was only put up there so that Luxembourg's embassies and consulates around Asia and the Pacific could watch their new Grand Duke get enthroned. Now that the new Duke has been safely esconced as the head of the Grand Duchy, the channel sadly became surplus to requirements. |
05/10/2000 |
RTL Tele Letzebuerg has joined the transponder previously only occupied solely by Saudi TV. With the opening of the new Astra/Asiasat uplink station in Cyprus, expect more European channels to start beaming into this part of the world in the not too distant future.
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04/10/2000 |
About a year ago, the creaking aged Gorizont satellites all started playing musical orbital positions - when the music stopped, the only Russian TV signals visible from this part of the world, came from Gorizont 29. It may have changed its name to LMI AP-1, but it was still an aging inclined-orbit satellite that just happened to give a nice strong signal of two Russian channels into Australia. Then three weeks ago, MTB disappeared - and last weeknd THT followed suit - and, for the first time in about 10 years, Russian TV in the Pacific has disappeared. The reasons? No one seems to know for sure but my theory is that MTB turned off and will become part of a pay TV package (no prizes for guessing exactly which one) and THT then found itself having to foot the whole transponder rental bill on its own - a prospect that wasn't to its liking. Will free-to-air Russian TV return to our fair shores? No one knows! |
03/10/2000 |
It was good while it lasted, but both these new channels seem to have been feeds into Australia for the duration of the Olympics and have disappeared. Both have now been replaced with colour bars.
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21/09/2000 |
As expected, RTPi (and two radio stations) have joined the European Bouquet and gone digital - after having been one of the first channels to appear on Asiasat-2. The announced turn-off date for the analogue service is 22nd January 2001 - but it could be before then now that the digital service has started. If you've been putting off getting a digital receiver, then now's the time! Also, expect two new European channels to join this frequency sometime before the end of the year. What these channels will be, no one really knows, but one could very well be BVN Netherlands.
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13/09/2000 |
With the Sydney Olympic Games starting, feeds to all over the world have popped up on numerous satellites. Rather than copy them all out here again, check out the Olympic Feeds page on Craig Sutton's most excellently bodacious website! |
11/09/2000 |
It's a surprise to everyone, but MSNBC has started on Panamsat 8 in place of the Korean channel EB-Net. How long this will stay free-to-air is anyone's guess. Why has it suddenly appeared - and in PAL format? I might be wrong (which will surprise no one) but it could very well have something to do with the re-vamped line-up that Foxtel is planning to unveil at the start of November?
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03/08/2000 |
It's been a bit quiet on the "new channel" front lately - but the wait was worth it. Channel News Asia has started on this Indonesian satellite together with two other test channels. CNA broadcasts out of Singapore in English. With a bit of luck it will stay free to air!
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07/07/2000 |
The Urdu language now has a second channel on Asiasat-3S (PTV is the first.) Strangely, this channel is coming neither from Pakistan nor northern India. Its origin seems to be the United Arab Emirates - it could be a channel for the UAE's many Pakistani guest workers. If anyone can confirm this, please email me.
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06/07/2000 |
ETV has started a second analogue channel on Insat-2E. This new one is on the narrower Asian beam, so from southern Australia it will be a bit scratchy even on a 3 metre dish. The first channel is on the wide global beam and should be clear as a bell.
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05/07/2000 |
This is a Mandarin language channel. It seems to be a chinese version of the History Channel. Can someone email me if you where it's coming from? Hong Kong? Singapore? China? Taiwan? Wherever, it seems to be free-to-air thankfully!!
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01/07/2000 |
This very popular Hindi and English general entertainment channel from India has started on Thaicom-3 adding to the ever-growing number of Indian channels visible from this part of the world. It's doubful if this channel will remain free-to-air so enjoy it while it lasts!
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01/07/2000 |
Channel of Hope is the youth television channel of Expo 2000 currently taking place in Germany. The channel which started today is expected to broadcast until the end of October 2000 (when the Expo closes) and then disappear into the ether. Enjoy it until then!
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30/06/2000 |
After what seems an eternity (actually about 6 months) of the "That was then - this is NOW" promo, at midnight tonight (Aust EST), the powers that be at NOW TV (Network of the World) finally flicked the switch and regular broadcasts (in English!) have begun! Looks very promising - n let's hope it stays free-to-air!
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25/06/2000 |
As predicted on this website, and expected by most, Zee and Alpha channels on Asiasat-3S finally encrypted. As these channels are meant to generate subscriber income in India, it was highly unlikely that they would remain free to air for too long. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted! |
23/06/2000 |
The Seventh Day Adventist sponsored channel 3ABN (Three Angels Broadcasting Network) has joined TRT and others on the RR Satellite Comms bouquet. As a Christian channel, the odds are that it will remain free-to-air.
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25/05/2000 |
Three more channels have now joined the Zee/Alpha Indian channel line-up on Asiasat-3S. The full line-up includes Zee English, Alpha Bangla, Zee Movies, Alpha Marathi, Alpha Punjabi, Alpha Gujarati, Zee Cinema, Kaveri and Nickelodeon India. But don't get too excited as this package of channels is expected to encrypt some or all its channels before the end of June!
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14/05/2000 |
When Egypt's ESC went digital with little or no warning, it caused a great deal of consternation among its viewers throughout Australia and the Asia/Pacific region. But when they encrypted without ANY warning for the sole benefit, it seems, of one Australian pay-TV operation, there was a veritable inter-continental outcry. Whether it is for testing purposes, or due to a doubt about their relationship with this pay TV operator or whether the Egyptian government has taken notice of the outcry from its international viewers, ESC1, ESC2 and the accompanying bouquet of Nile TV channels are now ALL free-to-air. Whether all or any of these channels stay free--to-air still remains to be seen. The situation here is probably still not settled. In the meantime, enjoy the 12 TV channels and 10 radio stations while they last!
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10/05/2000 |
CCTV has ended it's analogue/NTSC transmission of CCTV-4 and replaced it with a 5 channel. digital package which includes CCTV-4, CCTV-3 and the international English-language channel CCTV-9. Please note the slight frequency change.
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30/04/2000 |
At last the Macedonian community has something to watch (Yugoslav Macedonian - not Greek). Looks like this may be a feed for TARBS so that it may not remain free to air for too long. Enjoy it while it lasts!.
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28/04/2000 |
The game of musical frequencies on Thaicom-3 continues. Mega switched today and confused everyone. New frequncy - all others settings are the same.
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24/04/2000 |
This new Indian satellite channel has commenced free-to-air DTH broadcasting on Asiasat-3S. The language is Hindi and it goes 24 hours a day.
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22/04/2000 |
We don't know much about this channel except that the language is Bangla. Is this channel from Bangladesh? Will it remain free to air? How much is that doggie in the window? Who knows?? In the meantime..enjoy!!
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08/04/2000 |
A second South Korean channel (as well as Arirang on Asiasat-3S) is now visible from this part of the world - One TV. Let's hope that it stays from to air!
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25/03/2000 |
Yet another Indian channel has started on this satellite - despite a name that suggested it may have been Arabic. It's website states it is a free-to-air signal. Can anyone out there email me about the language - is it Hindi?
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17/03/2000 |
ESC's analogue signal comes and goes on Asiasat-2 as they test out their new digital service. This multi-channel line-up will include Nile TV as well as ESC. The analogue transmission is planned to go digital permanently as from 1st April 2000 - the only question is whether it will remain free-to-air or encrypt.
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14/03/2000 |
After a month or so of chopping and changing PID's, symbol rates and channels, this package now seems to have settled down to a 7-channel line-up. The good news is that there are two english-language channels among them - Zee English and Zee Movies (this is NOT the same as Zee Cinema which is in Hindi). Let's hope that it remains free-to-air.
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12/03/2000 |
CNBC's move from Panamsat-2 to Panamsat-8 will be complete when their signal turns off on Panamsat-2 at the end of March 2000. If you haven't already done so, you should be switching over to Panamsat-8 now.
Settings on Panamsat-8 are: |
10/03/2000 |
A duplicate service to that on Asiasat-3S has now started on Asiasat-2. This analogue service is either temporary or will switch to digital in the near future!
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08/03/2000 |
I suppose that it will find a permanent home eventually, but Mega Cosmos continues to play musical frequencies on Thaicom-3 - maybe just to keep the rest of us on our toes. Lastest move is from 3443 MHz to 3625 MHz.
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05/03/2000 |
The lack of free-to-air Taiwanese channels has now been broken! MSTV has now commenced regular broadcasting on AsiaSat-2 - let's hope it lasts!
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01/03/2000 |
Lashkara and Gurjari TV (both on Thaicom 3 also) have now joined the Aurora package on Optus-B3 . They are free-to-air now, but expect both to be encrypted in the not-too-distant future and become pay services. For now - enjoy!
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06/01/2000 |
After a lengthy stint on PanamSat-2, TCS SIngapore has moved to PanamSat-8. The bad news is that it has joined an encrypted Ku-band group of channels that is not visible in south-eastern Australia. |
18/12/99 |
Turner's business channel, CNNfn, has joined its stablemate CNN International on Panamsat 8's CNN 3-channel package. As this is the feed for Optusvision, it remains to be seen whether it stays free-to-air.
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13/12/99 |
Alpha TV has started a new 4-channel digital bouquet on Asiasat-3S. The new channel is Music Asia, while the others are Alpha Punjabi, Alpha Bengali and Alpha Marathi - which already broadcast as analogue channels on this satellite. More channels are predicted to join this bouquet in early 2000.
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12/12/99 |
Fox has upgraded to PowerVu MPEG2 from its old SA-MPEG 1.5 format so now 5 channels of their 6-channel Fox News and Fox Sports feeds are free-to-air (for the time being, anyway). Enjoy it while it lasts!
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16/10/99 |
Alpha Punjabi has started broadcasting on Asiasat-3S. It's analogue - It joins its "sister" channels Alpha Marathi and Alpha Bangla on this satellite. Expect to see a few more Indian dialects to appear on this bird. Asiasat-3 already caters to five of them! Settings are: 3,900 MHz Vertical, Video: PAL, Audio: 6.60/7.20 MHz. |
10/10/99 |
Almost as quickly as they came, Animal Planet and Discovery encrypted on Panamsat 2 and disappeared from Panamsat 8 altogether. That's the wonderful unpredictability of free-to-air satellite TV I guess! |
01/10/99 |
An new package has started on Panamsat 8 containing numerous varieties of the Animal World and Discovery channels. Undoubtedly, this is the Animal World feed for Optus pay TV but for the time being, at least, two channels of Animal World and one of Discovery are broadcasting free-to-air. Enjoy it while it lasts!
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19/09/99 |
This is the long-awaited arrival of live broadcasts to Australia from this popular Greek channel. The uplink is on Thaicom 3 (C-band) - on the same bouquet that used to include the other Greek channel Skai (Skai is now visible from Thaicom 3 only on 3429 MHz Horizontal Symbol: 3905 FEC: 3/4). The feed to Australia is on Optus B3 (Ku-band) on the TRT/Thai TV 5 bouquet. We advise cautious optimism here - whether Mega remains free-to-air or encrypts in the near future remains unknown.
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16/09/99 |
As expected, more channels are starting on this new, high-capacity, satellite. Settings are: 4,140 MHz Vertical, Video: PAL, Audio: 6.60/7.20 MHz. If anyone knows whether this comes from Bangladesh or from Bengal state in India, please email me with the information. |
03/09/99 |
Russian channel, NTV, has gone digital and joined the other Russian channel, THT, on a bouquet that also includes Sport FM Radio.
Settings are: 3,675 MHz, Polarity: Left-hand Circular, Video: Mpeg2/PAL. Pity that this satellite isn't geostationary - these VERY old Gorizonts still move around in an inclined orbit. But, if you're in Melbourne and don't have a vertical actuator, you should still be able to watch these channels from about 5.00pm(EST) until about 9.30pm(EST). Nice strong signal! |
14/08/99 |
A fourth Zee channel, Zee Marathi, has appeared on Asiasat-3S. It's analogue - Settings are: 3,660 MHz Vertical, Video: PAL, Audio: 6.60/7.20 MHz. Zee Marathi now joins its "sister" channels Zee TV, Zee News and Zee Cinema as Indian TV co-tenants on this satellite. |
12/08/99 |
After about a month or so of test transmissions, Arirang TV has commenced regular 24 hour programming out of Seoul, South Korea, on Asiasat 3S. 30% of its programming is in english, while the rest has english subtitles. Settings are: 3,755 MHz Vertical, Symbol Rate: 4,418, FEC: 7/8. |
01/08/99 |
For those who enjoyed it, this is sad news indeed. National Geographic Channel has left the CNBC bouquet on PAS-2 and has joined one of the Star TV bouquets on Asiasat-3S. The problem here is that it is now encrypted and likely to remain so. |
20/07/99 |
A Mediasat digital bouquet has commenced on Optus B3 and, for the first time, overseas channels have appeared for regular broadcasting from an Australian satellite. First channels to appear on the bouquet are the Maharishi channel, TRT International (Turkey) and Global TV5 (Thailand). Settings are: 12,336 MHz (Ku-band) Vertical, Symbol Rate: 30,000, FEC: 2/3. |
25/06/99 |
The once omni-present TV Shopping Network is back! It has now made a return to Asiasat-2 - this time in digital. (Settings: 4033 MHz, Vertical, Symbol Rate: 4298, FEC: 3/4) Enjoy! |
18/06/99 |
As expected, the longstanding CNN analogue signal on PAS-2 was finally turned off in preference to going digital on PAS-8. CNN now has a 3-channel "bouquet" on PAS-8 - the signal strength seems to have got better over the last week or so. At the same time, the new CNNI signal on Asiasat-3 has now been encrypted. |
21/05/99 |
Within a day of the press release announcing it, Turner Broadcasting has returned to an AsiaSat bird. The bad news is that all the channels are encrypted - EXCEPT CNNI. The good news is that, for once, the CNNI transmission is in PAL colour - not that NTSC rubbish. (Settings: 3960 MHz, Horizontal, Symbol Rate: 26000, FEC: 3/4) |
08/05/99 |
At last some good news for this part of the world! As planned, all channels on Asiasat-1 crossed over to Asisat-3S last night making them available to Australia. The channels currently are CETV (Hong Kong), Star Sports Asia, Channel [V], Phoenix TV, Zee TV and Zee TV India, PTV (Pakistan) and CCTV-4 (China). All signals as far as Melbourne are nice and strong. That's the good news. The bad news is that Star World will not be available. Also, so far, all digital channels are encrypted. Keep watching for more news! AXIOM WARRANTY CUSTOMERS PLEASE NOTE: We will be contacting all of you towards the end of May to tune all these new channels for you plus any channels available on PAS-8 at the time! |
06/05/99 |
Axiom Compusat Services has now been appointed as an Accredited Installer Agent for Star News India and Viva! Cinema. These two Star TV channels are extremely popular thoughout Asia and are now available via subscription in Australia. Ask us for further details via the "Contact Us" page on this website! |
06/05/99 |
The future of Orion 3, now launched, is unclear. It is unlikely that the satellite can reach geostationary orbit with its own thrusters and even if it does, there would be not much fuel left which is needed for stationkeeping. Instead of the planned 25,550 km, the highest point of Orion 3's orbit currently is just 1,380 km. The current orbit is so low that there is not enough light to charge the satellite's battery, so it has to be put into some kind of higher orbit sooner rather than later or else it will end up as a (potentially dangerous) piece of space junk with an empty battery. |
21/04/99 |
CNN International has switched from analogue transmission to a three-channel bouquet which, for the moment, is all free-to-air. Frequency: 3780 MHZ, Polarity: Horizontal, Symbol Rate: 25000 and FEC: 3/4. |
09/04/99 |
The new launch time for Orion 3, on a Delta rocket, has been rescheduled to 22nd April 1999 between 01:02 and 02:01 UTC. This follows two postponements on the 6th and 7th of April. Third time lucky! Orion 3's final destination is 139.0°E. |
21/03/99 |
AsiaSat 3S was launched at 08:09 Hong Kong Time (00:09 GMT) on 21st March by a Russian Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It will be manoeveured into position by early April and by late April, we should expect to see the first pictures coming from this new bird! |
11/03/99 |
Asia Satellite Telecommunications Company Limited (AsiaSat) today announced that the launch of AsiaSat 3S has been rescheduled to 21st March at Hong Kong Time 08:09 (GMT Time 00:09). The postponement is due to the rescheduling of a Russian launch prior to that of AsiaSat 3S. It will be launched using a Russian Proton rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Republic of Kazakhstan. |
22/02/99 |
Orion 3 launch date has now been revised to the window between 25th March and 27th March 1999. Orion 3's final destination is 139.0°E. |
19/02/99 |
Straight from Asiasat management!! (Hey, I got friends in high places, ya know!) Asiasat-3S, which was supposed to be launched on 21st February 1999, will now be launched in March 1999 - a definite date has yet to be confirmed. Watch this space for more info! |
09/01/99 |
The first analogue video signal has now appeared on PAS-8. Panamsat colour bars are on 3863MHz (IF=1287) Horizontal. You should use that now to set the position of PAS-8 into your receiver's memory for when the digital signals start (hopefully!). |
14/12/98 |
A launch date has now been set for Asiasat-3S - the replacement bird for Asiasat 3 which came to grief last December. Asiasat-3S which be launched on 21st February 1999 per means of a Proton rocket. Hopefully, it'll be second time lucky as this bird, which replaces Asiasat-1 in the skies, has a great footprint over this part of the world. |
10/12/98 |
An 11 channel bouquet has started on Palapa C2. They're all free-to-air (for now), MPEG-2/NTSC. Freq: 3,760MHz Horiz., Symbol Rate 21095 and FEC: 5/6. Channels include TTV, CTV, CTS, Formosa TV, Sun Movies, TNN, CASA and SET. |
05/12/98 |
This bouquet started about 4 weeks ago - I didn't announce it because I wasn't certain that it would stay free-to-air for all that long - but, hey, it's still there for all to see, MPEG-2/PAL, Freq: 3,778MHZ Vert, Symbol Rate 13330 FEC: 3/4. Channels are Antenna Pacific (Greece), LBC (Lebanon), ART (Lebanon) and RAI International (Italy). Check out both left and right audio - you'll find radio there too! |
01/12/98 |
Information from the Sydney office of PanAmSat last Friday was that all transponders have now been tested and that all are working perfectly. The satellite will presumably be handed over on schedule to PAS on 8 Dec. and will be available for traffic on that date. More anon! |
04/11/98 |
OK folks, you can uncross your fingers (and whatever else you had crossed) - all went according to plan. Panamsat has just announced that PAS-8 was successfully launched on schedule and has now been manoeuvoured into its final position at 166.0°E (that's only 3° west of PAS-2). It will take another 2-4 weeks before we start seeing any signals from this new bird, but as soon as something appears, it will be announced here! |
29/10/98 |
Next week sees the launch of Panamsat-8 at long last! It is scheduled for November 4th at 5:10 UTC (that's 4.10pm Eastern Summer Time). It's orbital position will be 166.0°E (that's somewhere between Optus B1 and Panamsat2) with 24 C-band and 24 Ku-band transponders and very strong footprints over most of Australia. Look for first signs of life from this bird 2-3 weeks after the launch date. |
11/10/98 |
Optus C1 is set to be launched late 2000 or early 2001. It's position is said to be 156.0°E which is currently the home of Optus B3 - it'll be interesting to see what they do with the old bird - there should still be some life left in it. |
11/10/98 |
We've been disappointed before but now it seems to be the real McCoy! Orion 3 is set for launch on 8th March 1999 - that is, until they postpone it again. Let's hope not. Next March looks busy with Orion 3 and AsisSat 3S going up within days of each other! |
22/09/98 |
Apparently, Shianghai TV has become the first service to appear on the newly launched Sinosat 1. It's a digital signal, but exact settings are as yet unavailable. Check out the SaCoDX listings for this bird - if one channel has commenced...more will follow. It will be interesting to see just how visible they will be, especially from the SE corner of Australia. |
15/09/98 |
It looks like the March 1999 launch date for AsiaSat 3S is back on again. The pressure for this seems to have come from Star TV who want to consolidate their AsiaSat 1 and AsiaSat 2 channels onto 7 C-band transponders on AsiaSat 3S. |
27/08/98 |
It had to happen - it was just a matter of when. The free-to-air Optusvision channels have gone. Austar has now taken over all three transponders and all channels, except for TVSN, the Channel Guide and the message channel, are now encrypted. Back to a la carte! |
15/08/98 |
First it was October and then November 1998. Now it's been postponed yet again - this time to a date to be confirmed in February 1999. Oh well, all good things come to those who wait, I suppose. |
13/08/98 |
Indonesia's Telkom 1 will be launched in early 1999 to replace Palapa B2R at 108.0°E. While Palapa B2R's signals are pretty much useless here in Melbourne, it remains to be seen as to whether we, down here, will get any joy from Telkom 1's 24 C-Band and 12 extended C-Band transponders. |
11/08/98 |
The Disney Channel has moved from 12564 MHz(H) to 12626 MHz(H). It also now has a "name tag" so that it "appears" to people who have a Pace decoder. Sports Australia (at least, the audio being played over a video freeze-frame) has replaced the Disney Channel on 12564 MHz(H). |
10/08/98 |
With almost 20% capacity left on AsiaSat 2, the Asian economic downturn and AsiaSat's profit forecasts a tad flat, rumours have it that the launch of AsiaSat 3S may be delayed until well into 2000 or maybe even 2001. Planned launch was March 1999. |
07/08/98 |
New launch date set for 30/11/98. Orion 3's planned home is 139.0°E with nice strong footprints covering Melbourne in both C-band and Ku-band. |
05/08/98 |
It had to happen - the Austar/Foxtel channels on 12564 MHz H and 12689 MHz H have all been encrypted except for the Preview Channel and TVSN. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted! The OptusVision channels remain in the clear. |
18/07/98 |
It will still be 4 or 5 weeks while this bird is being maneouvered into its orbital home before we get any signals from it and know whether anything can be seen from Melbourne. Watch this space! |