It is interesting to wonder why the DVB HotBird transmission was

not originally planned. I suppose that the idea of doing it this
way was not even thought about, yet the cost implications for the
user are the difference between receiving it and not receiving it.
Not to mention trying to install a huge dish for HRIT.

We may never know.

Lawrence,

My history with MSG-1 doesn't go back far enough! At the time when
MSG-1 was being planned, were there even any satellites providing
any digital transmissions for domestic users? It was all analog
until quite recently wasn't it? So no cheap Technisat cards! We
should all thank that power amplifier that failed!

Cheers,
David