This article presents a cross-layer packet scheduler to provide end-to-end QoS guarantees for Digital Video Broadcasting-Second Generation (DVB-S2) broadband satellite systems. The scheduler design is based on a cross-layer mechanism defined between the physical and the network layer. It includes an algorithm to guarantee the required QoS specifications established in the service level agreement. The algorithm calculation depends basically on two parameters: the available bandwidth present in a DVB-S2 satellite link and the QoS requirements of each traffic class defined by the satellite operator. The cross-layer scheduler's operation is demonstrated using the NS-2 simulator tool. The results show that the proposed mechanism maximizes the bandwidth utilization while enforcing the priority level of each service class when an extreme reduction of bandwidth caused by rain events is experienced. Copyright (C) 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.