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Hot Bird
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Country of originFrance
OperatorEutelsat
ApplicationsCommunications
Specifications
RegimeGeostationary, 13° East
Production
StatusOperational
On order0
Built13
Launched13
Operational3
Retired9
Lost1
Maiden launchHot Bird 1
28 March 1995
Last launchHot Bird 13G
3 November 2022

Hot Bird (also styled Hotbird[1]) is a group of satellites operated by Eutelsat, located at 13°E over the equator (orbital position) and with a transmitting footprint over Asia, Europe, North Africa, Americas and the Middle East.

Only digital radio and television channels are transmitted by the Hot Bird constellation, both free-to-air and encrypted. In addition there are a few interactive and IP services. The satellites currently operate at 13° East and are numbered 13B, 13E and 13G. The satellites have been broadcasting digital-only since TV5Monde switched off its analogue signal in 2010.[2]

List of satellites

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Name[3] Launch location Current location Launch date Status
Hot Bird 1 Kourou Junk orbit 28 March 1995 Inactive
Hot Bird 2 (Eurobird 9, Eutelsat 48A) Cape Canaveral Junk orbit 21 November 1996 Inactive
Hot Bird 3 (Eurobird 4) Kourou Junk orbit 2 September 1997 Inactive
Hot Bird 4 (Atlantic Bird 4) Kourou Junk orbit 27 February 1998 Inactive
Hot Bird 5 (Eutelsat 25B/Es'hail)[4] Cape Canaveral Junk orbit 9 October 1998 Inactive
Hot Bird 6 (Eutelsat 70D) Cape Canaveral Junk orbit 21 August 2002 Inactive
Hot Bird 7 Kourou Launch failure 11 December 2002 Failed
Hot Bird 7A (Hot Bird 13E) Kourou 13°E 12 March 2006 Inactive
Hot Bird 8 (Hot Bird 13B) Baikonur 13°E 4 August 2006 Inactive
Hot Bird 9 (Hot Bird 13C) Kourou 12.5°W 20 December 2008 Inactive
Hot Bird 10 (Eutelsat 33E) Kourou 33°E 12 February 2009 Active
Hot Bird 13F Cape Canaveral 13°E 15 October 2022 Active
Hot Bird 13G Cape Canaveral 13°E 3 November 2022 Active

Satellite details

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Hot Bird 1

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Hot Bird 1 was launched by Ariane 44LP on 28 March 1995. The 13° east slot predates the launch, with Eutelsat I F-1 having been located there as early as 1983, and Eutelsat II F-1 having also served time at the location. It has reached end-of-life.

Hot Bird 3

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Hot Bird 3 was launched by Ariane 44LP on 2 September 1997 and intended to be moved to 10°E to become Eurobird 10. During the drift from 13°E to 10°E, the satellite suffered loss of power from one solar array. It was nevertheless successfully moved to 10°E, but could only operate at a reduced capacity. Since then, it is operating at 4°E under the name Eurobird 4. At last it was moved to 75°E and renamed to ABS_1B. It has reached end-of-life.

Hot Bird 4

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Hot Bird 4 was launched by Ariane 42P on 27 February 1998 and redeployed to 7°W in July 2006, becoming Atlantic Bird 4 / Nilesat 103.

Hot Bird 5

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Hot Bird 5 was launched by Atlas-2A on 9 October 1998 and re-located to 25.5°E and renamed Eurobird 2. Six transponders are leased to Arabsat under the name Badr 2, after having been called Arabsat 2D.

Hot Bird 6 (Hot Bird 13D)

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Hot Bird 6 was launched by Atlas V 401 on 21 August 2002. Starting on 12 June 2009, the day of Iranian elections, deliberate interference affecting this satellite was traced to Iran. Hot Bird 6 is the primary carrier for BBC Persian Television.[5] As of 2013, it was replaced by Hot Bird 10 (Hot Bird 13D).

Hot Bird 7/7A (Hot Bird 13E)

[edit]

Hot Bird 7 was lost in December 2002 during the Ariane 5 ECA launch. Its replacement, Hot Bird 7A (a Spacebus 3000B3) was successfully launched on 11 March 2006. Hot Bird 7A was renamed Eurobird 9A in February 2009.

In December 2011, Eutelsat announced, that their satellite assets will be renamed under a unified brand name effective from March 2012. This satellite became Eutelsat 9A. In 2016 it was renamed Hot Bird 13E.[6]

Hot Bird 8 (Hot Bird 13B)

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Hot Bird 8 was launched by Proton on 5 August 2006. With a launch mass of 4.9 tonnes, Hot Bird 8 is the largest and the most powerful broadcast satellite serving Europe.

Hot Bird 9 (Hot Bird 13C)

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Hot Bird 9 was launched by Ariane 5 ECA in December 2008. Its entry into service enabled the Hot Bird 7A satellite to be redeployed to 9° East and rebranded Eurobird 9A, increasing capacity to 38 Ku band transponders at this orbital position. From March 2012, Hot Bird 9 became Eutelsat Hot Bird 13C and during the second quarter of 2023 Hot Bird 13G replace Hot Bird 9 at Eutelsats's 13° East position.[7]

This satellite renamed Eutelsat 10A now is located at 10.5° East for occasional feeds, data or inactive frequency[8]

Hot Bird 10 (Eutelsat 33E)

[edit]

Hot Bird 10 was launched by Ariane 5 ECA in February 2009 with NSS-9, Spirale A and Spirale B. It was initially commissioned as Atlantic Bird 4A at 7°W. When Atlantic Bird 7 became operational, it was renamed Eutelsat 3C and was colocated with Eutelsat 3A at 3° East. Later it became Hot Bird 13D and in 2016 Eutelsat 33E. This satellite is located at 33° East.[9]

Hot Bird 13F

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Hot Bird 13F was launched by Falcon 9 Block 5 in October 2022.[10] The launch mass of the satellite is 4,476 kg (9,868 lb). The satellite has been produced by Airbus Defence and Space and it's based on Eurostar Neo bus. The satellite is designed to use PPS5000 plasma propulsion engine (developed by Safran and using xenon) to get to geostationary orbit.[11]

Hot Bird 13G

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Hot Bird 13G was launched by Falcon 9 Block 5 in November 2022. The satellite is very similar to Hot Bird 13F. Hot Bird 13G is active and replaces satellite 13C at orbital position 13°E.[11]

Packages broadcast on Hot Bird

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Free-to-air channels

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Up to 300 television and radio channels are available free-to-air.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Hot Bird

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from Grokipedia
Hot Bird is a constellation of geostationary communications satellites operated by and positioned at the 13° East orbital slot over the . Primarily designed for direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting, the satellites transmit hundreds of and radio channels to over 156 million households across , , and the . Launched starting in 1995, the Hot Bird series marked a pivotal advancement in satellite-based video distribution, enabling the rapid expansion of multi-channel television services in regions previously limited by terrestrial infrastructure. The constellation has evolved through successive generations of high-power spacecraft, with recent additions like Hot Bird 13F and 13G—launched in 2022 and 2023, respectively—enhancing signal quality and capacity using advanced Ku-band transponders for pan-European beam coverage. These satellites support diverse delivery methods, including satellite master antenna (SMATV), cable headends, (IP) distribution, and (DTT) feeds, serving as a cornerstone for and pay-TV ecosystems. The Hot Bird position has become one of the world's premier video neighborhoods, hosting approximately 900 television channels and underscoring 's role in bridging connectivity gaps in underserved areas through reliable, wide-reaching satellite technology. Ongoing fleet modernization ensures sustained performance, with the 13F and 13G pair designed for over 15 years of operation, replacing aging predecessors to maintain uninterrupted service amid growing demand for high-definition and ultra-high-definition content.

Overview

Constellation Purpose and Operations

The Hot Bird constellation, operated by , functions as a dedicated video neighborhood positioned at 13° East in , primarily delivering direct-to-home (DTH) television, cable distribution, and radio services across , the , and North . This orbital slot enables high-capacity Ku-band operations optimized for digital video , supporting , pay-TV, and high-definition channels with robust signal strength for consumer reception via small dish antennas. The system's purpose emphasizes reliable, wide-area coverage to facilitate distribution, reaching an estimated 156 million households in the Europe, Middle East, and (EMEA) region through approximately 900 active television channels. Operational management by involves co-locating multiple satellites to aggregate capacity, currently totaling around 102 physical transponders post-reconfigurations, with in-orbit redundancy to ensure service continuity during failures or relocations. Key features include protected uplink stations for against interference and enhanced power output for improved broadcast quality in standard definition, high definition, and emerging 4K formats. The constellation originated in with the launch of Hot Bird 1, marking 's strategic pivot to a high-power cluster for enabling hundreds of digital channels, evolving from earlier Eutelsat II satellites through iterative replacements to boost capacity, lifespan, and coverage footprint. Recent operations focus on modernization and fleet renewal, exemplified by the 2023 entry into full commercial service of Hot Bird 13F and 13G, launched on October 15, 2022, and November 3, 2022, respectively, via rockets from . Built by on the Eurostar Neo electric propulsion platform under an ESA partnership, these satellites replaced aging units while preserving overall capacity and introducing efficiencies like lower fuel consumption for extended operational life. Additionally, Hot Bird 13G incorporates a specialized EGNOS GEO-4 for the Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA), augmenting satellite-based navigation services through differential corrections, though this remains secondary to the core broadcasting mission. maintains the constellation through ongoing monitoring, capacity leasing to broadcasters, and periodic station-keeping maneuvers to sustain the precise 13° East longitude.

Geographic Coverage and Capacity

The Hot Bird , positioned at 13° East, provides Ku-band broadcasting coverage primarily across , the , forming a core footprint for the EMEA region. This wide-beam configuration enables signal reception throughout , the Mediterranean basin, and extending into parts of the and sub-Saharan , with peak effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) levels supporting direct-to-home (DTH) services. Reception characteristics vary by location within the footprint: in beam centers over , DTH signals are receivable with dish antennas under 50 cm in diameter, while larger dishes (typically 60–80 cm) suffice across , , and the . The constellation's design prioritizes broad accessibility, delivering high signal strength to over 156 million households equipped for satellite TV, with spillover coverage reaching portions of and the islands under favorable conditions. In terms of capacity, the co-located Hot Bird satellites collectively support over 900 television channels, including more than 600 pay-TV services, approximately 300 () channels, and over 150 high-definition (HD) offerings, hosted across seven to 13 premium platforms. This is facilitated by a total of around 100–102 Ku-band transponders at the orbital slot, bolstered by high-power amplifiers on recent satellites like Hot Bird 13F and 13G, which enhance redundancy and uplink flexibility for broadcasters. The setup also accommodates radio services and data feeds, though video broadcasting dominates utilization.

Historical Development

Inception and Initial Launches (1995–2000)

The Hot Bird constellation was initiated by in the mid-1990s to establish a dedicated cluster of high-power geostationary satellites at the 13° East orbital , optimized for Ku-band direct-to-home (DTH) television with wide coverage over , , and the . This position provided effective signal reach to major population centers while supporting standards emerging at the time, such as DVB-S, to accommodate growing demand for multi-channel TV services. The series built on 's prior experience with Eutelsat II satellites but shifted focus to higher power and capacity specifically for consumer DTH markets, contrasting with earlier general emphasis. Hot Bird 1, originally a refurbished II F6 spacecraft, marked the inception with its launch on 28 March 1995 aboard an Ariane 44LP rocket from , . Weighing 1780 kg at launch with 16 Ku-band transponders, it delivered initial DTH capacity of up to 50 TV channels and was positioned at 13°E to pioneer the neighborhood's role. Hot Bird 2 followed on 21 November 1996, launched via Atlas IIAS from , with a 2915 kg launch mass, 20 Ku-band transponders, and a planned 14-year lifespan to expand capacity for additional European broadcasters. Subsequent launches rapidly built out the constellation using the for improved reliability and power. Hot Bird 3 lifted off on 2 September 1997 on an Ariane 44LP from , featuring a 2900 kg launch mass and 28 Ku-band transponders co-launched with Meteosat 7. Hot Bird 4 was deployed on 27 February 1998 via Ariane 42P from the same site, adding further transponders to support peak demand growth. Hot Bird 5 completed the initial phase on 9 October 1998, launched by Atlas IIAS from with a 3000 kg mass and 20 high-power Ku-band transponders. By 2000, the five operational Hot Bird satellites at 13°E collectively offered over 100 Ku-band transponders, enabling transmission of hundreds of digital TV channels and establishing the position as Europe's premier DTH hotspot, with redundancy against individual failures. This expansion relied on a mix of European Ariane and American Atlas launch vehicles, reflecting Eutelsat's strategy to diversify providers for reliability.

Expansion and Replacements (2000–2015)

In August 2002, launched Hot Bird 6 aboard the inaugural rocket from , enhancing redundancy and capacity at the 13° East orbital position to support expanded direct-to-home television and across , , and the . This addition built on the initial Hot Bird satellites by providing backup for existing payloads and accommodating growing demand for digital channels. The planned launch of Hot Bird 7 on 11 December 2002, intended to further augment capacity with 40 Ku-band transponders on a Eurostar-2000+ platform, ended in failure when the ECA rocket malfunctioned shortly after liftoff from , resulting in the total loss of the 3,400 kg . As a replacement, Hot Bird 7A—built by Alcatel Alenia Space on the Spacebus-3000B3 platform with 38 Ku-band transponders (33 MHz bandwidth each) generating 10 kW of power—was orbited successfully on 11 March 2006 via ECA from , restoring and expanding service to over 100 million households with 676 video and 565 audio channels. Hot Bird 8 followed on 4 August 2006, launched by from and based on the Eurostar-3000 platform with 64 Ku-band transponders, to replace depreciating capacity from earlier satellites like Hot Bird 1–4 while providing in-orbit sparing for sustained operations. Identical , Hot Bird 9 and Hot Bird 10, were deployed in quick succession—Hot Bird 9 on 20 December 2008 and Hot Bird 10 on 12 February 2009, both via from —each adding 64 high-power transponders to triple the constellation's effective payload by 2015, enabling distribution of nearly 1,000 television channels and interactive services to a peak audience exceeding 150 million homes. These deployments maintained near-continuous coverage despite the 2002 setback, with co-location of up to five satellites at 13° East optimizing beam efficiency for Ku-band signals.

Recent Modernization and Launches (2016–Present)

In August 2018, commissioned to manufacture two all-electric satellites, designated Hot Bird 13F and Hot Bird 13G, on the Eurostar Neo platform to replace aging assets in the Hot Bird constellation at 13° East and sustain high-capacity Ku-band broadcasting capacity. These spacecraft represented a modernization , leveraging fully electric systems for raising and station-keeping, which reduced launch mass by approximately 20% compared to chemical- equivalents while enabling higher payload fractions for transponders. Hot Bird 13F launched on , , aboard a rocket from , , with a launch mass of 4,500 kg; it completed electric orbit raising over five months to reach by March 2023. Hot Bird 13G followed on November 3, , via another from the same site, mirroring the twin design for redundancy and load balancing at the orbital slot. Both satellites feature advanced digital processors and high-power amplifiers to support over 1,000 TV channels, prioritizing direct-to-home reception across , , and the . The satellites entered full commercial service on , 2023, after in-orbit testing, enabling the relocation of three predecessor satellites—Hot Bird 13B, 13C, and 13D—to alternative positions for and freeing capacity for expanded services. This transition enhanced signal reliability and beam efficiency, with the electric architecture projected to extend operational lifetimes beyond 15 years while minimizing fuel costs. No additional Hot Bird launches occurred through 2025, with focusing on capacity optimizations and capacity lease renewals rather than new hardware deployments.

Technical Specifications

Orbital Position and Beam Coverage

The Hot Bird satellite constellation operates from the geostationary orbital position at 13° East longitude, a slot selected for its optimal visibility across , the due to the geostationary arc's geometry over the . This longitude, approximately 36,000 kilometers above the Earth's , allows continuous fixed positioning relative to ground receivers, minimizing tracking requirements for consumer antennas. Multiple satellites, including Hot Bird 13F and 13G, are co-located at this slot to provide and capacity expansion, with launches maintaining fleet continuity since the 1990s. Beam coverage primarily utilizes Ku-band transponders with a super-wide beam design, delivering effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) levels sufficient for reception across (up to 52 dBW in core areas like ), extending to and the (down to 42-48 dBW in peripheral zones). This configuration supports direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting receivable with 60-80 cm dishes in high-signal regions and larger antennas (up to 1.2 m) in fringe areas like parts of or sub-Saharan extensions. Select transponders incorporate steerable or spot beams for targeted enhancements, such as intensified coverage over or the , but the fleet's prioritizes broad, EMEA footprint over narrow high-density beams. The 13° East position's coverage avoids significant overlap with adjacent slots like 9° East or 19.2° East, reducing interference while maximizing channel density for over 1,000 services; however, signal occurs in extreme latitudes beyond 60° N/S due to limits. 's operational data confirms peak EIRP contours align with population centers in , , , , and , reflecting demand-driven beam shaping rather than uniform global spread.

Satellite Platforms and Propulsion

The Hot Bird satellite constellation primarily employs the family of satellite platforms developed by , which provide the structural bus, power systems, and attitude control for geostationary operations. Early satellites in the series, such as Hot Bird 1 launched on October 28, 1995, utilized the Eurostar-2000 platform, featuring deployable solar arrays generating up to 3.5 kW of power and a propulsion system based on S400 chemical thrusters for apogee kick motor firing and station-keeping. Subsequent models progressed to the Eurostar-3000 platform, which supports launch masses between 4,500 and 6,000 kg and enhanced payload capacities through modular designs accommodating higher-power transponders while maintaining chemical propulsion for primary maneuvers. More recent satellites, including Hot Bird 13F launched on October 15, 2022, and Hot Bird 13G launched on November 3, 2022, are built on the Eurostar Neo platform, an evolution emphasizing mass efficiency with a launch mass of approximately 4,500 kg and spacecraft power output of 22 kW. This platform integrates fully electric propulsion, replacing traditional chemical systems to reduce propellant mass by up to 40% and enable greater payload allocation to communications equipment. The all-electric architecture relies on plasma or thrusters mounted on extendable booms for orbit raising from geosynchronous transfer orbit to geostationary position, as well as north-south and east-west station-keeping over the 15-year design life. Chemical propulsion in earlier Eurostar platforms typically involves bipropellant systems using (MMH) as fuel and nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) as oxidizer, delivered via thrusters rated at 10 N to 400 N for precise delta-V adjustments. In contrast, the Eurostar Neo's electric thrusters provide low-thrust, high-efficiency operation, achieving specific impulses exceeding 1,500 seconds compared to around 300 seconds for chemical systems, though requiring longer durations for maneuvers—Hot Bird 13F, for instance, took several months post-launch to reach operational orbit. This shift supports Eutelsat's capacity expansion at 13° East while minimizing requirements.

Transponder Configuration and Power Output

The Hot Bird satellites operate exclusively in the Ku-band for communications, with downlink frequencies spanning 10.70–12.75 GHz and uplink frequencies in the 13.75–14.50 GHz range to support high-capacity distribution. are configured with —alternating between horizontal (H) and vertical (V)—to enable frequency reuse and maximize within the allocated bandwidth. Typical bandwidth is 33–36 MHz, accommodating multiple multiplexed channels encoded in MPEG-4/H.264 or HEVC formats using DVB-S/S2 modulation schemes with FEC rates such as 3/4 or 5/6 and symbol rates ranging from 27,500 to 30,000 ksym/s. Individual satellites vary in transponder count based on design generation, but modern units prioritize high-density payloads for DTH services. For example, Hot Bird 13B carries 64 Ku-band s, with up to 58 operable at full power simultaneously for sustained video throughput. Newer additions like Hot Bird 13F and 13G, launched in on the Eurostar Neo platform, each feature approximately 80 Ku-band s, enabling the relay of over 900 television channels across co-located beams. These s support widebeam coverage for broad European reception alongside narrower spot beams for intensified signal density in high-demand regions. Power output emphasizes reliability for small-aperture receiving dishes (60–80 cm diameter). Transponders employ amplifiers (TWTAs) delivering 110–150 W of saturated output power per unit, as seen in Hot Bird series designs optimized for direct . This yields effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) contours peaking at 50–52 dBW in core European hotspots, with marginal coverage extending to 42–48 dBW in peripheral areas like and the , ensuring clear-sky reception thresholds of around 10.8–11.8 dBW for typical setups. The constellation's redundancy across multiple satellites mitigates single-point failures, with in-orbit reconfiguration allowing dynamic power allocation to active transponders.

Satellite Fleet

Decommissioned and Retired Satellites

The Hot Bird satellite fleet has undergone periodic decommissioning as older reached the end of their operational lifespan, experienced failures, or were supplanted by higher-capacity replacements to maintain service continuity at the 13° East orbital slot. Early missions faced reliability challenges typical of nascent geostationary broadcast systems, with some satellites deorbited or maneuvered to graveyard orbits to comply with international orbital debris mitigation guidelines established by bodies like the Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space. Hot Bird 1, launched on 28 March 1995 via from , , suffered a system anomaly shortly after reaching , leading to its controlled deorbit on 11 May 1995 to prevent it from becoming a collision hazard. Hot Bird 7, intended as a replacement, was destroyed on 11 December 2002 during an ECA launch failure from the same site, which also impacted another payload; the incident was attributed to a software error in the vehicle's upper stage. Subsequent retirements involved end-of-life maneuvers: Hot Bird 4 (launched 27 August 1998, later redesignated 16B) was decommissioned in 2015 and boosted to a above the geostationary belt after 17 years of service. Similarly, Hot Bird 6 (launched 21 August 2002, later 70D) operated until 2016 before retirement to , having exceeded its design life through fuel-efficient station-keeping.
SatelliteLaunch DateRetirement DateReason/Status
Hot Bird 128 March 199511 May 1995Propulsion failure; deorbited
Hot Bird 711 December 2002Launch failure ECA anomaly; destroyed
Hot Bird 4 (Eutelsat 16B)27 August 19982015End-of-life;
Hot Bird 6 (Eutelsat 70D)21 August 20022016End-of-life;
In 2023, the entry into service of Hot Bird 13F and 13G prompted the release of three legacy satellites—Hot Bird 13B (original Hot Bird 8), Hot Bird 13C (original Hot Bird 9), and Hot Bird 13D (relocated from Hot Bird 10)—from the 13° East position, allowing relocation to alternative slots or full retirement to free capacity for enhanced broadcasting. Hot Bird 13D, in particular, was decommissioned in after multiple orbital relocations since its launch, marking the end of its multi-mission utility. These transitions reflect Eutelsat's strategy of fleet renewal to sustain over 1,000 TV channels amid evolving demand for high-definition and ultra-high-definition content.

Operational Satellites

The operational Hot Bird satellites are positioned at the 13° East orbital slot, forming the core of 's video broadcasting neighborhood serving , , and the with direct-to-home (DTH) and cable distribution services. As of 2025, the active fleet consists of Hot Bird 13F and Hot Bird 13G, which entered full commercial service in September 2023 after replacing older capacity to ensure continuity and enhanced performance. These satellites provide high-power Ku-band transponders optimized for widebeam and spot beam coverage, supporting over 1,000 TV channels in multiple languages. Hot Bird 13F, launched on October 15, 2022, aboard an rocket from , , is built by on the Neo electric orbit-raising platform. It features 80 Ku-band transponders with effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) levels up to 53 dBW in key European beams, enabling robust signal delivery for free-to-air and encrypted services. The satellite's design incorporates all-electric propulsion for station-keeping, with an expected operational lifespan exceeding 15 years. Hot Bird 13G, co-launched with SES-18/19 on April 29, 2023, via a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, shares a similar Airbus Eurostar Neo platform and complements 13F's capacity. It also deploys 80 Ku-band transponders, focusing on high-throughput beams for DTH markets, with EIRP peaks matching those of its counterpart to maintain seamless service aggregation at 13° East. Both satellites underwent in-orbit testing to verify transponder functionality and beam alignment before commercial activation, minimizing downtime during the transition from prior Hot Bird models.
SatelliteLaunch DateLauncherManufacturer/PlatformTranspondersExpected Lifespan
Hot Bird 13FOctober 15, 2022/Eurostar Neo80 Ku-band15+ years
Hot Bird 13GApril 29, 2023/Eurostar Neo80 Ku-band15+ years
This duo sustains the Hot Bird position's role as Europe's premier video hotspot, with redundancy built into their co-location for fault-tolerant operations. reports no major anomalies affecting service availability, which exceeds 99% reliability thresholds.

Broadcasting and Services

Channel Distribution and Packages

The Hot Bird satellites at 13° East distribute over 900 television channels to more than 156 million households across , , and the , primarily via Ku-band transponders with beam coverage optimized for the European continent. This includes nearly 600 high-definition (HD) channels and 10 ultra-high-definition (UHD) channels, broadcast in approximately 30 languages, supporting direct-to-home (DTH) reception, cable headend feeds, and contributions to IPTV and (DTT) networks. Approximately 300 channels are (FTA), encompassing broadcasters, , , and ethnic programming from countries including , , , and , while the remainder are encrypted pay-TV services utilizing systems such as Viaccess, , and Irdeto. Channel packages on Hot Bird are structured around a core FTA bouquet supplemented by seven premium DTH platforms operated by regional providers, enabling subscription-based access to bundled content including movies, , and premium series. Notable examples include Bis TV for French-language channels with over 100 offerings, NC+ (now integrated into Canal+ ) providing more than 135 channels with HD options, and Kabelio in delivering Swiss, , German, French, and Italian content via modules. These packages often combine Hot Bird capacity with local regulatory requirements, such as mandatory carriage of national public channels, and support hybrid models incorporating (FAST) channels for broader accessibility. Distribution emphasizes reliability for DTH users with standard 60-80 cm dishes, though signal strength varies by beam footprint, with stronger coverage in .

Free-to-Air and Subscription Content

The Hot Bird satellites at 13° East transmit a diverse array of (FTA) and subscription-based television channels, primarily targeting audiences in , the . As of September 2023, the position hosted approximately 300 FTA channels alongside over 600 pay-TV channels, enabling access to content in numerous languages without mandatory subscriptions for FTA offerings, while encrypted subscription services require modules or smart cards. These channels encompass , , sports, religious programming, and ethnic media, with FTA content often prioritizing unencrypted broadcasts for broad accessibility via standard satellite receivers. FTA channels on Hot Bird constitute a significant portion of the lineup, featuring public broadcasters, international news outlets, and community-focused stations from countries including Poland (e.g., ), , , and . Examples include multilingual feeds like in multiple languages and religious channels such as TV, receivable across with a dish size as small as 80 cm in regions like Northern , , and Western . In June 2025, ad-supported FAST channels like wedotv movies, wedotv BIG stories, and wedotv sports launched as FTA options, expanding free German-language content for European households. This FTA emphasis supports over 156 million homes, fostering direct-to-home reception without intermediary providers. Subscription content, conversely, relies on encrypted transmissions integrated into premium packages from seven major TV platforms, including pay-per-view events and high-definition offerings exceeding 500 HDTV and UHD channels. These services cater to targeted markets, such as professional video feeds for broadcasters and specialized bouquets for sports or movies, distributed via Eutelsat's partnerships with operators requiring decryption hardware. While FTA dominates for casual viewers, subscription models generate revenue through agreements with content providers, balancing open access with commercial exclusivity; channel counts fluctuate due to capacity reallocations and market demands.

Key Broadcasters and Agreements

Eutelsat maintains capacity agreements with prominent public and private broadcasters leveraging the fleet at 13° East for direct-to-home and cable distribution across , , and the . A notable example is the multi-year renewal signed in July 2025 with Switzerland's public broadcaster SRG SSR, which secures transmission of its channels and radio services, extending a partnership spanning over 30 years and emphasizing reliable coverage for Swiss households. In , , an anchor tenant, expanded its Hot Bird capacity in July 2024 to enhance broadcasting for events like the Summer Olympics, building on prior contracts such as the addition of transponders for its channels and partnership with CANAL+ Group, Poland's leading satellite platform operator. Italy's channels are supported through contracts with , facilitating their distribution via the Hot Bird video neighborhood, as confirmed in agreements active as of August 2025, which integrate with platforms like Tivùsat for nationwide reception. Regional operator consolidated its broadcasting for Balkan platforms including Total TV, Nova, and on Hot Bird and adjacent positions in August 2024, optimizing direct-to-home services for millions of subscribers in , , and neighboring markets. Al Jazeera Media Network reaffirmed its longstanding capacity deal in September 2024, enabling multichannel distribution to audiences in the , , and via Hot Bird's Ku-band transponders.

Impact and Developments

Market and Technological Influence

The HOTBIRD constellation at 13° East, initiated with the launch of HOTBIRD 1 in 1995, established a dominant orbital position for satellite in , enabling the distribution of hundreds of television channels to millions of households via direct-to-home (DTH) antennas and cable networks. This development facilitated the early commercialization of digital video , as evidenced by Viacom's launch of the first DVB-MPEG-based TV platform on the satellites, which accelerated the transition from analog to digital transmission across the region. By providing a reliable, high-capacity platform, HOTBIRD influenced market dynamics by lowering entry barriers for broadcasters, particularly for niche, ethnic, and international programming that might not have been viable on terrestrial or cable infrastructure alone, thereby expanding viewer choice and contributing to the proliferation of over 900 television channels today serving more than 156 million homes in , , and the . In terms of market reach, HOTBIRD achieves over 90% penetration in European cable, IPTV, and (DTT) networks, with coverage extending to 130 million homes in proper and holding significant share in , where it reaches approximately 70% of satellite households. This positioning has made it a preferred hotspot for major agreements with broadcasters, such as renewals with Swiss public broadcaster SRG in 2025 and consolidations by in 2024, underscoring its role in sustaining DTH viability amid streaming competition and enabling hybrid distribution models that integrate feeds into IP and cable ecosystems. The constellation's emphasis on free-to-air content has also democratized access in underserved areas, influencing competitive landscapes by prioritizing broad geographic footprint over fragmented national services. Technologically, HOTBIRD satellites pioneered high-power Ku-band operations with widebeam coverage, delivering signal strengths up to 53 dBW that support reception via small dishes (typically 60-80 cm) across diverse terrains, a key enabler for mass adoption in the 1990s and 2000s. Subsequent generations incorporated advanced features like in-orbit across multiple , enhanced uplink protection, and support for high-definition (HD) and ultra-high-definition (UHD) formats, with recent models such as HOTBIRD 13F and 13G—launched in 2022 and entering service in 2023—utilizing the all-electric Eurostar Neo platform for improved , extended operational lifespans beyond 15 years, and reduced launch masses. These innovations have set benchmarks for broadcast satellite design, influencing industry standards for resilience against failures and integration of payloads like the EGNOS GEO-4 for satellite-based augmentation systems, while facilitating transitions to more secure, compressed digital signals that maximize capacity for simultaneous multi-channel delivery.

Reliability and Operational Challenges

The Hot Bird , operating at the 13° East orbital slot, has faced notable reliability challenges, including launch failures and on-orbit anomalies primarily affecting power subsystems. A prominent example occurred on December 11, 2002, when Hot Bird 7 was lost during its launch aboard an ECA rocket, which experienced a malfunction shortly after liftoff, resulting in the total failure of the mission and the satellite's destruction. On-orbit incidents have also impacted individual Hot Bird satellites, often linked to environmental factors. Hot Bird 3, launched in 1997, suffered a significant anomaly on October 3, 2006, during the post-eclipse period, causing substantial damage to one of its solar arrays and a partial power loss estimated at around 20% of total capacity, which necessitated reconfiguration and reduced operational transponders. This event, along with temporary anomalies on satellites like Hot Bird 2, has been associated in statistical analyses with space weather phenomena, such as elevated radiation belt electron fluxes and geomagnetic activity (measured by Kp index peaks), which can degrade solar arrays and electronics in geostationary orbit (GEO) spacecraft. Operational challenges extend to maintaining station-keeping and propulsion efficiency over extended lifespans, as GEO satellites like those in the Hot Bird fleet rely on finite onboard propellant for orbital maneuvers, with typical design lives of 15 years often tested by cumulative radiation exposure and thermal cycling. Eutelsat mitigates single-point failures through co-location of multiple satellites at 13° East, enabling transponder relocation during anomalies, though fleet-wide vulnerability to solar events persists, as evidenced by broader GEO anomaly trends where power and attitude control systems account for a significant portion of disruptions. Overall, while Eutelsat reports 99% availability for its GEO fleet, these incidents underscore the inherent risks of operating in the GEO radiation environment without comprehensive shielding upgrades.

Future Prospects and Expansions

The HOTBIRD 13F and 13G satellites, launched in 2022 and entering full commercial service at 13° East in September 2023, feature high-power Ku-band transponders designed to deliver over 100 transponders each, supporting up to 1,000 channels in and UHD formats with an expected operational lifespan of 15 years. This upgrade replaces older capacity from HOTBIRD 13B, 13C, and 13D, enabling relocation of those satellites while extending reliable broadcast coverage to over 156 million homes across , the through 2038. Eutelsat has pursued service expansions at the HOTBIRD neighbourhood, including the inauguration of dedicated capacity for professional video services in March 2025, aimed at secure, low-latency transmission for live events and high-profile broadcasts in and MENA regions. This builds on the position's role as EMEA's leading video hotspot, with recent multi-year capacity renewals, such as with Swiss public broadcaster SRG in July 2025, signaling ongoing broadcaster commitment amid linear video market contraction. Further growth includes broadcaster migrations, exemplified by United Group's planned consolidation of direct-to-home activities onto HOTBIRD and adjacent positions by the end of 2025, enhancing audience reach through next-generation platforms. In 2024-25, HOTBIRD attracted new contracts despite a 6.4% decline in Eutelsat's overall video revenues to €151.7 million, reflecting its resilience as a core GEO asset in the company's hybrid strategy integrating geostationary broadcasting with LEO connectivity for complementary services. No new satellite launches for the constellation have been publicly announced as of 2025, with focus on optimizing existing capacity for efficiency and spectrum utilization.

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