RTÉ to use Ka-Sat for new Saorsat platform

Ireland’s national broadcaster, RTÉ, has selected Eutelsat’s Ka-Sat to deliver a satellite-based version of its free-to-air digital-terrestrial platform Saorsat.

The launch of Saorsat via satellite is designed to ensure every household in the Irish Republic can receive RTÉ’s public service television and radio channels, including the approximately 2% that are beyond range of terrestrial DTT reception.

The service will broadcast RTÉ’s five television channels RTÉ One, RTÉ Two HD, RTÉ News Now, RTÉ junior and RTÉ One +1, along with ten radio stations.

To receive Saorsat on satellite, viewers will need a satellite dish equipped with a Ka-band LNB and a DVB-S2 set top box.

Michel de Rosen, CEO of Eutelsat, said: “The integration by RTÉNL of the Ka- Sat platform into its digital broadcast network is further evidence of how our new satellite is contributing to Europe’s digital infrastructure. We are delighted that Ka-Sat’s service area and performance ticks all the boxes for RTÉNL and RTÉ, enabling the transmission authority and the broadcaster to put in place an efficient solution for ensuring nationwide access to free to air Irish digital.”