The Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) and three Russian channels no longer get any broadcasts, according to French satellite operator Eutelsat.
Eutelsat stated in a statement on Thursday, “Eutelsat has stopped all broadcasting linked to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) in accordance with the Council of the EU Regulation 2022/2428 of 12 December 2022.
According to the statement, the satellite provider “terminated all engagement in the airing of three [Russian] channels Rossiya One, Perviy Kanal, and NTV, within the required 7-day compliance period,” as of Wednesday.”
“Pursuant to the Council of the European Union Regulation 2022/2474 of 16 December 2022, these three channels as well as a fourth, RenTV, will be subject to sanctions if so confirmed by the Council by 1 February 2023, in accordance with the notice 2022/C 481 I/04 released by the Council on 19 December 2022,” Eutelsat said.
In accordance with the process of adopting or preparing for the adoption of the aforementioned steps, the satellite operator has allegedly made sure that it is not involved in the airing of RT News in Russia.
The bans will have a negative financial impact on Eutelsat’s full-year revenues of approximately 10 to 15 million euros ($16 million).
Weeks after the European Union imposed sanctions on the Tehran-based broadcaster, Press TV received a notification from Eutelsat on December 7 that it would be suspending operations of the English-language news network.
Following recent foreign-backed riots in the country, the European Union on November 14 placed penalties on a number of Iranian institutions and individuals, including Press TV, over claimed “rights violations.”
Eutelsat is a French satellite operator providing coverage over the entire European continent, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and the Americas. It is the world’s third-largest satellite operator in terms of revenues.
