Apstar 5 will replace Apstar 1, launched in July 1994. India March 28 saw the safe launch abort of Insat's GSAT-1 communications satellite. A new launch date has yet to be set. According to Hughes Global Services, the company expects satellite salvage operations to grow. Palapa C2 ATV shut down their analogue operations on March 25.
Future operations are uncertain.
ATV is seen by many as a valuable asset to Australia, attracting many visitors and providing the only international source of Australian news and programming. Originally operated by the ABC, the service passed to the control of Network 7 who obviously felt it was not profitable. There is much to be said in favour of retaining Government control of such services - services that do not need to be based on commercial merit alone. Panamsat 2 March 25 saw the appearance of 2 Korean TV channels in FTA format. KBS TV and YTN ran for several days before adopting CA status.