Every satellite has one or more satellite footprints. The satellites at 28E that Sky uses have at least 10 different coverage footprints!
Astra 2A - 2
Astra 2B - 2 (plus a Nigerian beam!)
Astra 2C - 2
Astra 2D - 1
Eurobird 1 - 3 (one of which isnt used for anything much atm)
Each beam will be received at different strengths in different area - in the UK all are received with good strength as thats where the signal is destined for. In Spain the Astra 2D beam is very weak, and the Astra 2A & 2B north beams arent very good either.
Sky doesnt own the satellites - they just rent capacity on it so no the south beam isnt peculiar to Sky - if for no other reason the same channels are being used for the new Freesat service!
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