American Forces Network’s satellite delivery platform is changing, requiring viewers on the European continent who have an AFN decoder and satellite dish in their home to make some changes by July 31 to continue to get AFN TV.
“We know this change will inconvenience folks,” said AFN Europe Commander Col. Bill Bigelow. “But, we’re doing all we can to help viewers make the necessary adjustments. We’ve set up a toll-free help desk, online manuals, and how-to videos to try and facilitate a smooth transition to the new satellite.”
The AFN help desk is now being manned through July 31. Hours are Tuesday through Friday from 1-9 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Central European Time). Viewers from Germany, Italy, Belgium, the UK and most other European countries will be able to call in via a toll-free number, 00800-236-268-3662 (00800-afnantenna).
Since the process of setting up a dish and re-adjusting a decoder varies according to decoder model, location and other variables, the help desk and online materials are especially critical. AFN Europe has posted manuals and how-to videos in English, German and Italian at www.afneurope.net. Click on the Eurobird 9A icon for the manuals and videos.
Direct-to-home viewers will need to reconfigure their home decoder and realign their satellite dish from the current satellite, Hotbird 6/9 at 13 degrees east, to the new satellite, Eurobird 9A (EB9A) at nine degrees east.
The move to the EB9A satellite positions AFN to better serve the audience in the future. If you have questions about whether this satellite change affects you, visit www.afneurope.net or call the AFN help desk.