A method and apparatus for broadcasting a data stream is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of inverse multiplexing the data stream into a first component data stream and a second component data stream and providing the first component data stream to a first transponder and providing the second component data stream to a second transponder. The apparatus comprises an inverse multiplexer, communicatively coupled to the data stream, for separating the data stream into a first component data stream and a second component data stream; an uplink transmitter, for providing the first component data stream to a first transponder and providing the second component data stream to a second transponder.