Pay-TV provider MultiChoice has announced that it will migrate its DStv services from its current satellites, IS10 and IS7, to a new satellite, IS20, by 1 October 2012; in a move that is set to see it offer more channels and services in future.

The IS20 satellite has a Southern African footprint and is expected to have a lifespan of approximately 15 years. It has 24 C-band and 60 Ku-band transponders. MultiChoice says it will use the Ku band for its direct-to-home television services. The satellite was launched on an Ariane rocket from French Guiana in South America on 2 August 2012.

“We have made a significant investment in this satellite and we will continue to invest in new technology,” said Collins Khumalo, chief executive of MultiChoice South Africa.

“We constantly innovate to improve the DStv viewing experience as we want our customers to have access to the best entertainment delivered through the best technology available,” Khumalo added.

The increased capacity on the new satellite will enable MultiChoice to expand its High Definition (HD) offering; and add more channels and services.

Six Standard Definition (SD) and seven HD channels are planned to be added to DStv on 1 October 2012, taking to 14 the total number of HD channels on DStv.

The additional HD channels include two from NBC Universal: Studio Universal and Universal and five MNet Movie channels.