Satellite broadcasting - Overview of European developments

Current developments and proposals for 12-GHz-band direct-broadcast-satellite TV in Western Europe are surveyed. The regulatory framework imposed by the Geneva conference of 1977 is reviewed; the proposed introduction of a new standard color-TV format (C-MAC/Packet) to improve picture and sound quality is discussed; the satellites scheduled for launch in 1985-1986 (TV-Sat, TDF-1, Tele-X, Unisat, and L-Sat) are characterized; the pan-European programming experiment Eurikon (using OTS-2 in 1982) and the planned programs for ECS-1 and L-Sat are described; and the feasibility of combined satellite-cable systems is considered.