There is a new Satellite TV service in Brazil. Its name is BluTV (www.blutv.com.br) and it has been operating since August 9. Based in Uberlandia (Minas Gerais State), it is owned by 1Sat Telecomunicações. The service currently reaches 53 municipalities, but the plan is to expand its coverage in the short term.

According to information reported by Minas Gerais newspaper Diario do Comercio, the initial investment was approximately USD 10 million. “In Uberlandia we have found the technical conditions and the partners that are required for the fulfillment of this project,” explained Stéphane Frappat, a BluTV executive. The goal pursued by this DTH is “to make high-quality entertainment and information content available at a reasonable price,” he added.

BluTV offers an initial plan called BluTV Familia. This plan costs USD 7.4 per month and allows access to 100 channels (Globosat’s channels are not included). Then, subscribers can add two packages to their basic plan: HBO premium pack (USD 7.4 per month) and Super BluTV Esportes HD, a sports channels package (USD 5.5 per month).

People who are interested in BluTV have to buy the equipment (in 12 installments of USD 5.5 each), to subscribe to the packages they wish and to schedule the service installation with the company. Neither the dish nor the STB are provided on loan; they are sold to customers.