Telecom company Orange submits request to re-broadcast 13 Romanian TV channels in future satellite TV service

Telecom operator Orange has submitted a request to Romania's National Audiovisual Council (CNA) to re-broadcast 13 TV channels. The telecom company, which recently signed a contract with SES, a supplier of satellite communication services, in order to launch on the DTH television services. According to the documents submitted by Orange, it plans to re-broadcast the 13 local TV stations from Issy Les Moulineaux in France. The CNA will analyze Orange's request in one of its meetings next week. If the proposal is approved, Orange will be able to launch its satellite TV services, competing with companies like RCS&RDS, Romtelecom and UPC România. Orange, owned by France Telecom, had almost flat revenues in the first quarter of 2013, compared to the same period last year, despite an increase in customers. Revenues reached EUR 219 million in the first three months of 2013, down 1.4 percent on a comparable base, while the company saw a slight rise in customers, to just over 10.2 million. Orange finished 2012 with total revenues of some EUR 913 million in Romania. editor@romania-insider.com