By Carl Laron on May 18, 2010 in
It sounds like something out of a B-grade horror movie. Fried in a solar storm last month, the Galaxy 15 communications satellite has been transformed into what's drolly being called a "zombie satellite" by technicians -- a brain-dead satellite that's wandering out of control but still transmitting its TV signals. And like some "Night of the Living Dead" denizen, Galaxy 15 has resisted all efforts to gain control of it, or drive a stake though its heart to kill it completely. Now, the wayward satellite is threatening another bird, AMC 11, which is the home for some the most popular cable TV channels in the U.S., including Lifetime, The Food Network, QVC, A&E, TV Land, Comedy Central, and Showtime. A full list of the channels that could be affected can be found here.
Is the show over for Showtime?
No, not really. Though Galaxy 15 is drifting near the location of AMC 11, the odds of a collision are nearly non-existent. What's more of a concern is that Galaxy 15's transmitters will interfere with those aboard AMC 11 for a while -- with May 23 being the fateful day. Of course, things could be worse. Some have speculated that the zombie sat could have interfered with the series finale of "Lost," causing that show's fans to surely lose their minds. Fortunately, AMC 11 doesn't carry any programming from ABC, so that cataclysm is unlikely.
So what is likely to happen? In the end, (hopefully) not too much. SES World Skies, the owner of AMC 11, told the AP that while some interference is probable, it's hoped that a complicated orbital dance -- shifting AMC 11 in sync with the approaching satellite in a way that will still keep its signals in view of ground-based stations -- will keep disruptions to a minimum. However, there's no way to be certain that the satellite owners and cable channels will be successful until they actually try. Hence, cable providers are clearly worried that viewers will see at least some negative effects as a result of this space drama.
As they say, stay tuned -- if you can.