TV Times

SATnet , the newest satellite television network was launched last week
A new era of television entertainment dawns for Sri Lankan viewers with the launch of SATnet (earlier Star TV Lanka) offering a hundreds of television channels Direct to Home (DTH), satellite TV fare covering the whole island 24 hours a day.

Bringing two leading brand names in the world of entertainment "Star TV of Hong Kong and Dish TV of India" the service offers over 110 channels of uninterrupted, distortion-free, crystal clear images with theatre-like sounds in scintillating stereo.

SATnet service is unique as all channels provide Direct To Home (DTH) programmes, uncensored, uninterrupted and unedited said Lakshman Hulugalle, Chairman/ Managing Director of SATnet, a 100 per cent Sri Lankan owned venture.

‘The main benefit of having a Direct To Home programmes is that the viewer does not miss anything movies, news, sports, or any other fare which are, most of the time, edited and sometimes censored in other TV stations. The best example is sports, especially cricket. When watching favourite cricket match, the viewer do miss the sixth ball, which we very often experience here. It so happens that viewers sometimes miss the first ball too making it a four ball over. However with SATnet (earlier Star TV Lanka) such unsavory episodes never take place. You sit back and watch the whole match, the sixth ball and all’ he added

Being the pioneer in home entertainment direct through satellite communications since 2001 as Star Lanka only Digital Stereo Direct To Home Satellite TV system, the company has a clear perception of its clients needs. To offer the discerning Sri Lankan viewer greater opportunities to avail themselves of satellite TV, SATnet (earlier Star TV Lanka) has come up with a unique package of easy payment schemes in association with the Sampath Bank and the Hatton National Bank offering a 10 per cent discount on connections.

SATnet (earlier Star TV Lanka) distribution network too is widespread covering the whole island operating in collaboration with the Hayleys Group with their wide network of showrooms.

Honk Kong based Star TV offers an exciting array of 15 TV channels, the favourites being National Geographic, History, Adventure, Star Movies, Star Sports & ESPN, Channel V, Fox, Stat Plus and Gold, Sky News, etc. Viewers get an Electronic Programme Guide, a listing of programmes for the next four days. Also a Programme Booking Service to book the programme you like to watch by clicking the booking button on the remote, while the Parental Lock is provided to control the viewing of programmes.

Dish TV of India offers a world class experience with over Hundred channels. Dish TV is a mix of 10 different genres including soaps, movies, music, news, lifestyle & fashion, factual, regional and children's programmes. With more than 32 national and international broadcasters on board, Dish TV ranks as one of the best in the Asian region.

SATnet (Pvt) Ltd is a 100% privately owned Sri Lankan company that commenced operations in February 2001. The Company provides installations to households, hotels, apartments etc. and is the only licensed provider of individual connections to all parts of the island. This is facilitated by DTH (Direct To Home) technology - a Digital Stereo Signal beamed directly to the Decoder from the Satellite.

An exciting window to the world of entertainment, sports and information is now open DIGITAL STEREO QUALITY. SAT net (Pvt) Ltd, is the sole authorized Direct to Home (DTH) pay TV distributor in Sri Lanka for STAR India, Hong Kong, Dish TV India and ZEE TV India and ESS Singapore and India now provides the only pay TV bouquet that can be broadcasted islandwide.

SATnet is now the authorized agent for Dish TV which is a venture of the Essel Group that provides 100 channels, such as Zee package, ESPN, STAR Sports, DD Package at an affordable price. Viewers are now able to enjoy soaps, movies, Lifestyle & fashion, music and news. There is a wide choice of about 25 English channels to choose from amongst many other 75 Tamil, North Indian and French channels.

Unlike other operators, SAT net is able to offer this service, to any part of the country because they are the only licensed operator possessing this technology. Direct to Home/DTH means that the digital stereo signals are down-linked directly to your home receiver (via a dish antenna) from the Satellite. This means no more drop in picture quality or that irritating grainy effect on your TV screen every time a plane goes over or your hand phone starts ringing. Your Movie looks as good as a DVD and sound as good as a CD.

SATnet's customer base includes prestigious hotels and individual subscribers (homes) who are selective and have discerning tastes.

The coverage spread from Jaffna to Hambantota, from Chilaw to Batticaloa. The company has been in operation since 2001 February and the customer base includes varied subscribers.