Eutelsat launches new contract free satellite TV service Freesat in Romania

Eutelsat Communications has launched Freesat, a new TV platform available from the EUTELSAT 16A satellite, in Romania. The satellite TV service offers a range of local TV channels, including TVR 1, TVR 2, Pro TV, AcasaTv, ProCinema, Sport.ro, KanalD, Prima, NationalTV, FavoritTV, TVR HD TVR 3, TVR News, TVR International, Etno TV, Taraf TV and WEST TV. The new services is up and running already, as of the end of May. Freesat is a Direct-to-Home platform of Standard Digital and High Definition channels available for a yearly subscription of some EUR 23 and a one-off payment for a conditional access smartcard. “We welcome the launch of this new platform that will propel digital broadcasting forward in Romania and help prepare the ground for analogue switch-off of the national terrestrial broadcasting network,” said the Chief Commercial Officer of Eutelsat Jean-François Leprince-Ringuet. The company touts its no contract service as a key selling point. Customers can make a one off payment for the card, RON 79, or some EUR 18, and the annual fee of RON 99 (EUR 23) to get the new service. Headquartered in Paris, Eutelsat Communications is the holding company of Eutelsat S.A, with capacity commercialized on 31 satellites reaching Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, significant parts of the Americas and the Asia-Pacific region. As of 31 March 2013, Eutelsat's satellites were broadcasting more than 4,600 television channels to over 200 million cable and satellite homes in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group's satellites also provide a wide range of services for TV contribution, corporate networks and fixed and mobile broadband markets. Eutelsat and its subsidiaries have over 780 employees from 30 countries. editor@romania-insider.com (photo source: Eutelsat)