Golden Eagle Joins Cable2 Neighborhood
Christian Broadcaster Signs onto GE-4
September 7, 2000
GE American Communications, Inc. (GE Americom) announced today that Tulsa, OK-based Golden Eagle Broadcasting will use GE-4 C-band capacity to distribute its basic cable Christian programming service to cable head-ends throughout the U.S. The satellite, located at 101* West, makes up half of GE Americom's Cable2 neighborhood and now reaches more than 48 million households.
Carl Capista, GE Americom's Vice President, Satellite Services - North America said, "We are pleased to initiate a long-term relationship with Golden Eagle, a recognized innovator in religious programming." He continued "Golden Eagle's Family Safe* service is an exciting addition to the array of news, sports and entertainment programming already reaching the 48 million cable households connected to the Cable2 neighborhood."
Walter H. Richardson, President of Golden Eagle commented "We want to deliver our Family Safe* programming to as many American homes as possible; Cable2's penetration gives us an exceptional opportunity to reach most homes wired for cable delivery." He continued "Our Christian programming brings a new slant to the mix of programming in the Cable2 community."
Golden Eagle Broadcasting, founded by the Oral Roberts University Board of Regents, began operations in January 1996 with the inauguration of service on its flagship station, KGEB in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Now offering a contemporary mix of Christian-based services that includes a diverse blend of ministries, plus specials, music, children's programming and sporting events, the organization offers a 24-hour direct satellite service as well as basic cable programming.
GE Americom's Cable2 neighborhood now reaches more than 48 million cable households and is composed of two dozen national and regional programming networks using transponders on GE-1 and GE-4. The rapid growth of Cable2 can be attributed to an ambitious program to distribute antennas to cable head-ends that, in aggregate, plans to reach up to 90% of America's cable subscribers. With the close proximity of the two satellites, GE-1 at 103* and GE-4 at 101* W.L., the antenna program permits dual reception of both satellites by a single C-band antenna.
The C-band payload of the hybrid GE-1 satellite is dedicated to Cable2, with twenty-four 36 MHz, 20-watt C-band transponders. The satellite was launched in late 1996 at 103* W.L. and provides 50 state and Caribbean coverage for an expected 15-year life. The spacecraft also carries the first U.S. payload of 36 MHz bandwidth, 60-watt powered Ku-band transponders and features a shaped-beam reflector antenna design. The GE-1 spacecraft is an advanced satellite platform offering exceptional reliability, flexibility, system redundancy and service life.
GE-4, a hybrid satellite, became operational on December 21, 1999. The newest satellite in the Americom fleet is located at 101*W.L. and provides high-powered service through three coverage beams. The spacecraft's twenty-four 36 MHz C-band transponders are dedicated to Cable2 and feature 20 watt SSPAs and offer coverage of the 50 US states plus Mexico and the Caribbean. The high-powered Ku-band payload delivers services with switchable transponders throughout and between North America and South America.
With over twenty-five years' experience, GE American Communications, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer and a leading provider of global satellite communications solutions. With the integration of the recently acquired Columbia Communications' transoceanic satellite capacity into GE Americom's global fleet, GE Americom will be able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. GE Americom currently operates twelve satellites providing services to North America. In addition, GE-1E provides service for European and Middle Eastern markets. Through GE-4 and Nahuelsat, S.A., an Argentine satellite operator, GE Americom provides satellite-based communications services throughout South and Latin America. And with the launch of GE-1A, scheduled for October 2000, GE Americom will be able to deliver services into China, India and the large population centers of Northeast Asia. GE Americom's key customers include ABC Radio Networks, AT&T Alascom, British Telecom, Cidera, Deutsche Welle, Discovery, Disney, Gannett, ICG, Merlin, NBC, the New York Times, NHK, PaxNet, PBS, TELE Greenland, TV Europa, Viacom and TimeWarner/Turner Broadcasting.
GE Americom is a GE Capital business. GE Capital, with assets of over US$345 billion, is a global, diversified financial services company with 28 specialized businesses. A wholly-owned subsidiary of General Electric Company, GE Capital, based in Stamford, CT., provides equipment management, mid-market and specialized financing, specialty insurance and a variety of consumer services, such as car leasing, home mortgages and credit cards, to businesses and individuals around the world. GE is a diversified services, technology and manufacturing company with operations worldwide.
Contact: Monica Morgan
609-987-4143
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