To the South Pole: RSCC ensures broadcasting of six Russian TV channels for the Bellingshausen Antarctic station

Russian Satellite Communications Company and the Arctic and Antarctic Research Institute (AARI) have ensured reception of six Russian TV channels at the Bellingshausen station on King George Island.

Broadcasting was arranged using the bandwidth of the RSCC Express-AM8 satellite. Researchers, including those on the ships of the Russian Antarctic Expedition, can now watch a package of programs that includes Channel One Europe, Russia-24, RTR Planeta, Pobeda, RT in Spanish and English. Furthermore, the last two channels are broadcasted on Chilean stations and bases nearby.

This refers to the Chilean Air Force bases Eduardo Frei and Navy Fildes, as well as the Profesor Julio Escudero base. TV channels are also available at Antarctica's only year-round unpaved Teniente Rodolfo Marsh Martin Airport. This aviation hub receives significant flows of tourists and research expeditions. RT in English and Spanish can now also be watched in Villa de Estrellas, where families of Chilean officers are living.

"We at RSCC are proud that Russian members of polar expeditions on the Bellingshausen station and their foreign colleagues, who are far from home, now have access to television, can rest and receive information about what's happening in the world. Earlier, in 2022, the company ensured broadcasting of 14 programs to another station – Novolazarevskaya," said Alexey Volin, Director General of Russian Satellite Communications Company.

With the help of RSCC satellite infrastructure, the cellular communications network was also expanded in part of the Bellingshausen station area. It is expected that work to ensure communications for the entire station and its vicinity will take place in January 2024.