5 February – SES' Astra 1A satellite starts broadcasting, beginning SES's dominance of the European satellite communication market.
In Europe, prior to the launch of Astra 1A in 1988, the term DBS was commonly used to describe the nationally commissioned satellites planned and launched to provide TV broadcasts to the home within several European countries (e.g. BSB in the UK, TV-Sat in Germany).
Launched in March 1990 and broadcasting from London, the channel initially broadcast for two hours each night from 8pm (GMT) on the Lifestyle transponder 5 on the Astra 1A satellite in analogue format (frequency 11.273 MHz, time-sharing with The Children's Channel, Lifestyle and The Lifestyle Satellite Jukebox).
Astra | SES Astra | Vauxhall Astra | Astra (satellites) | Astra 19.2°E | Opel Astra | Astra 28.2°E | Astra 1A | Astra 23.5°E | SES ASTRA | IAI Astra | FC Astra Giurgiu | Astra-Torres airship | Astra (satellite) | Astra 1N | Astra 1B | Radio Astra | Astra-Unceta y Cia SA | Astra International | Astra 2D | Astra 1E | Ad Astra Rocket Company | Ad Astra Aero |