United Group expects the transition to next-generation DTH will be completed by 2025. The consolidation will see a unified STB and CAS, a one-size TVRO, and a Teleport to uplink content.

The telco provider claims the services will benefit an audience of 40 million through companies Telemach, Nova, Bulsatcom, Vivacom, SBB and Total TV in 8 countries (Greece, Bulgaria, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia).

“This transition is crucial to maximise our audience reach across our market footprint, deliver an unrivalled content line-up and continue to develop our next-generation services,” states United Group vice president of technology Željko Batistić.

“We are honoured that United Group, has placed its confidence in Eutelsat for this important strategic initiative, leveraging two of our leading video neighbourhoods, 16° East and Hotbird,” says Eutelsat Group video business unit president Laurence Delpy.

“As well as reinforcing our long-standing collaboration with one of our key customers in the region, this agreement showcases the ongoing relevance of satellite in addressing the evolving needs of our broadcast clients and confirms Eutelsat as the premier operator covering the region, reaching seven out of 10 satellite homes.”

Eutelsat claims the Hotbird satellites reach 130 million homes across Europe including cable networks in the region.

Additionally, the Eutelsat 16A satellite provides over 600 TV channels in a variety of languages to over 25 million homes in Central and Eastern Europe.