Technology : Signals from Space

Clive Glover investigates the future of satellite radio in the UK

In the last issue of Radio Today, I described some of the ways in which satellites can be used by radio broadcasters. The two main ways are for distributing signals to a number of different stations that then rebroadcast them locally, or for direct broadcasts to individual homes.

Direct broadcast by satellite

The one direct broadcast radio system planned at present is based on the German TV-SAT, which was launched last November. Unfortunately, one of the satellite's two solar panels failed to open properly. This means that it can only operate on half power and is likely to last a much shorter period than the 9-10 years originally planned. Oddly, these problems mean that it may be used almost exclusively for radio as this requires much less investment on the ground than for TV and it will therefore be easier to find customers amongst radio stations.

TV-SAT's DBS radio system comprises 32 mono or 16 stereo channels of digital radio, transmitted at a rate of 20.48Mbits/s in the Ku band, which is allocated to DBS in Europe. The signals should be receivable over most of the UK with a 60cm dish aerial, although you would of course also need a DBS receiver and special decoding equipment — currently only available in Germany.

Satellite distribution

Distribution of radio programmes by satellite is already big business in the USA. There are dozens of networks distributed across the country (and beyond) that are picked up by stations and rebroadcast locally. The satellite-delivered services are usually based on a music format, classical and jazz amongst the most popular.

There are regular gaps to allow the local stations to insert their own adverts, often automatically triggered by special coded tones. These can also be used to instruct tape players to play ident jingles to create the impression that the station is really local. I have even heard it suggested that some services include taped 'local weather reports', triggered via the satellite, on the grounds that there are only about six different weather forecasts ever used on American radio!

Setting up a local station and buying in your programming from a satellite network is a very profitable business in the States. All you need is a satellite receiver, a transmitter and a few people on commission to sell your local ads. No DJs, no studios, no record libraries, no expensive journalists. All you have to do is pay for the network service and cover your costs (and some) with your local ads. Easy!

European satellites

The situation is rather different in Europe. However, the French and, to a lesser extent, the Italians have learned from the US system. A number of national networks in France distribute their signals via the French Telecom 1 satellite, including popular stations like NRJ, Skyrock and Chic FM. Signals from them can be received from the UK if you happen to have suitable equipment. However, you're not technically allowed to receive signals from telecommunications satellites in this country unless you are called British Telecom or Mercury...

It is not yet clear whether the UK Government will allow distribution by satellite and local rebroadcasting under its new radio system. It will probably leave the new radio authority to decide. However, the new radio system in Eire (likely to start in September this year) will probably allow such networks. One of them will almost certainly be Radio Nova, whose founder, Chris Carey, has already been planning European distribution via the ECS-1 satellite and, eventually, direct broadcasts to the whole of Europe by the Luxembourg satellite, ASTRA.

One UK broadcaster is already using satellite distribution: the BBC World Service. Programmes (especially the world news) are now taken by local stations all over Europe, such as in Paris, Helsinki and Berlin. Currently, programmes are only relayed for 8 hours a day (on Intelsat V, Channel 16X), but later this year the BBC will swap to ECS-1 and 24 hours programming. The other satellite programme in English at present is the Voice of America (ECS-1, Channel 10Y, 24 hours), which is rebroadcast locally in Brussels and Milan.

Virgin Radio

No doubt many people will be planning new satellite services if they prove as successful in Europe as in the USA. Both Virgin Radio and Satellite Music Network, run by former Caroline jock Robb Eden, plan 24-hour rock channels. Piccadilly Productions, the people who bring you the American Top Forty and UK Album Chart on Capital, are planning programmes for satellite distribution to IR stations. WMRS, who organised the satellite of the Queen concert to IR stations in `86, have similar plans.

There seems little doubt that within a few years, there will be interesting programmes to be found by pointing your radio aerials up to the skies!

My thanks to Simon Shute of the BBC Engineering Dept for all the technical information.