The Russian satellite operator RSCC and the Chinese company CNC signed a cooperation agreement for international satellite TV transmissions from 2008 Olympic Games

04.10 : 2007

A cooperation agreement for international satellite TV transmissions from 2008 Olympic Games to Russia and the CIS via RSCC satellites was signed between the Russian Satellite Communications Company (RSCC), the Russian state satellite operator, and China Netcom (Group) Company Limited (CNC), the Chinese telecommunications company responsible for fix communications services during the Olympic Games in Beijing.

In the framework of the on-going cooperation RSCC and CNC carried out the SD/HD TV signal tests from Beijing to Moscow and from Moscow to Beijing via RSCC satellites in the period from March 2006 till August 2007. The test broadcasting was performed taking into account the requirement of the Russian rights holding broadcasters – Channel One & VGTRK. The tests were successful and showed the feasibility of using Express-AM satellites and CNC’ terrestrial engineering facilities to provide high quality international TV transmission services during the 2008 Olympic Games.

As a result of successful tests RSCC and CNC have agreed to provide satellite TV transmissions from 2008 Olympic Games via the new RSCC satellite Express-AM33 scheduled for launch into 96.5 East, and using terrestrial engineering facilities of CNC and RSCC. To ensure high quality broadcasting RSCC will secure backing the satellite communications channels by terrestrial communications channels.

“Preparation for 2008 Olympic Games broadcasting from Beijing is one of the most important tasks for RSCC. Olympic Games will be broadcast all over Russia and the CIS countries in standard digital format as well as in high definition that will stimulate the demand for HDTV service in the region” – says Yuri Izmaylov, RSCC Acting Director General.