What Is Hotbird 13°E?
Hotbird 13°E is one of Europe's most important satellite broadcasting positions, operated by Eutelsat. Located at 13 degrees East longitude in geostationary orbit, it hosts a cluster of satellites that together broadcast thousands of television and radio channels across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
For millions of households — particularly in Central and Eastern Europe — Hotbird is the primary source of free-to-air and encrypted satellite TV content.
Current Satellites at 13°E
The Hotbird position is served by multiple Eutelsat satellites working in coordination:
- Eutelsat Hotbird 13B — Primary Ku-band broadcasting satellite
- Eutelsat Hotbird 13C — Secondary Ku-band capacity
- Eutelsat Hotbird 13G — Newest addition, launched to expand capacity
These satellites operate in the Ku-band frequency range (10.7–12.75 GHz), meaning a standard 60–80 cm dish is typically sufficient for reception across most of Europe.
Coverage Area
Hotbird 13°E has an exceptionally wide coverage footprint. Its main beam covers:
- All of Europe (including Scandinavia and the British Isles)
- North Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt)
- The Middle East (Turkey, Lebanon, Israel, Jordan)
- Parts of West Africa and the Caucasus region
Signal strength is strongest in Central Europe (Germany, Poland, Italy, France), where a 60 cm dish is usually sufficient. At the edges of the footprint — such as in the UK or North Africa — a larger 90–120 cm dish may be required for reliable reception.
Key Transponder Frequencies
| Frequency (MHz) | Polarisation | Symbol Rate | FEC |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10,719 | Horizontal | 22,000 | 5/6 |
| 10,758 | Horizontal | 27,500 | 3/4 |
| 10,853 | Vertical | 27,500 | 3/4 |
| 11,054 | Vertical | 27,500 | 2/3 |
| 11,137 | Horizontal | 27,500 | 3/4 |
| 11,623 | Horizontal | 27,500 | 3/4 |
| 12,015 | Horizontal | 27,500 | 3/4 |
Note: Frequencies and parameters can change. Always verify with an up-to-date source before installation.
What Channels Are Available?
Hotbird 13°E carries an enormous variety of content:
- Free-to-Air (FTA): Hundreds of unencrypted channels including news, entertainment, and cultural channels from across Europe
- Encrypted packages: Canal+, Sky Italia, various Eastern European pay-TV packages
- Radio channels: Dozens of European and international radio stations
- Data services: Broadband and teleport services for professional use
Dish Size Recommendations by Region
- Central Europe (Germany, Poland, Austria): 60–75 cm
- Western Europe (France, Spain, UK): 80–100 cm
- North Africa / Middle East: 100–120 cm
- Scandinavia: 90–120 cm
How to Point Your Dish to 13°E
To receive Hotbird signals, your dish must be accurately aligned to 13 degrees East. Use a compass or a satellite finder app to determine the correct azimuth and elevation for your specific location. Most modern satellite receivers include a built-in signal meter to help fine-tune your dish alignment once you're in the approximate position.
For best results, ensure your LNB is a standard universal Ku-band LNB with a 9.75/10.6 GHz local oscillator — this is the most common type and is compatible with all Hotbird frequencies.