Rome, 22 July 2009

TivùSat launch, Italy’s first free satellite platform

Tivù, the company jointly owned by Rai (48.25%), Mediaset (48.25%) and Telecom Italia Media (3.5%), has announced the launch of TivùSat, on 31 July.

TivùSat is Italy's first free satellite platform. It reaches all those areas of the country, including those not covered by the terrestrial signal and, in addition to replicating in the complete version (i.e. without the blackout of certain programmes in the schedule) the generalist offer and new national TV channels, it offers a series of other channels, both Italian and international..

TivùSat provides free access to the traditional TV offer (Rai Uno, Rai Due, Rai Tre, Canale 5, Italia 1, Rete 4, La 7) without any schedule "blackouts", and to new digital channels (including Rai 4, Boing, Rai Gulp, Iris, Rai News 24, Rai Sport Più, Rai Storia, Mediashopping, Class News, Sat 2000, K2-Kids). It will also be possible to receive important international broadcasters such as Euronews, France 24, BBC World News, TVE International, Canal 24 Horas, Arte, Deutsche Welle, ZDF, ARD and many more.

Access and use of the platform will be straightforward thanks to EPG (electronic programme guide) software that helps users to find their way through the available channels and to become familiar with what is available. Access to the new offer requires a satellite dish pointed at Eutelsat 13° Est and a smart card which is provided along with the TivùSat decoder and can be activated in just a few minutes. From the end of July various models of the TivùSat decoders, which are produced by a range of manufacturers, will be available at retail outlets and consumer electronics stores.