By Stuart Thomson

Slovak public broadcaster RTVS has turned to Luxembourg-based pay TV outfit M7 Group, owned by Canal+, to distribute its channels via SES’s Astra 23.5° East satellite position. 

M7 will distribute all of RTVS’s channels: Jednotka, Dvojka, Trojka, and the new channel RTVS Šport, launched in time for the upcoming Winter Olympics.

All RTVS channels will broadcast in HD quality, with dedicated EPG positions in the line-up of Skylink, M7’s pay TV provider for Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

M7 Platform Services provides end-to-end satellite distribution, allowing RTVS to deliver the channels to third party operators in Slovakia. To allow for a smooth transition of the channels from the current service provider, M7 said it will commence satellite transmissions this month.

“We are very pleased and proud to be selected by RTVS for the satellite distribution of all its channels, including the new RTVS sports channel, allowing Slovak viewers to enjoy the upcoming Winter Olympics and other major sports events in superb HD quality,” says Member of the Board at M7 Group, Jaromir Glisnik.

“We thank RTVS for their confidence and trust in our technical expertise and we look forward to a fruitful partnership in the coming years.”

CEO of RTVS Jaroslav Reznik said: “We chose M7 as our satellite partner as they submitted the best offer. At the same time, we are aware that M7 provides excellent and high-quality satellite distribution solutions in our region. This is crucial for a public service broadcaster like us. In addition, the partnership with M7 ensures the distribution of our channels to all Skylink TV households and at the same time allows us to use satellite signals to deliver channels to third party operators. We look forward to a great cooperation in the coming years. “