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Significant Increase in Number Of HD Channels on ASTRA


    SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), has announced
    today that the number of High Definition (HD) channels broadcast via
    the ASTRA Satellite System has increased significantly. ASTRA today
    transmits 26 HD channels across Europe (24 at year-end 2006),
    including HD offers from BSkyB, Discovery, National Geographic and
    History Channel from the UK, CANAL+, M6 and TF1 from France and
    Premiere, ProSieben, Sat1 and Anixe from Germany. Meanwhile, the total
    number of HD channels in Europe has increased to 36 at year-end 2006,
    compared to six in 2005*. Until 2010, the number of HD channels is
    expected to quadruple to around 160 different channels. SES ASTRA
    expects to transmit around 100 HD channels by 2010. According to
    industry estimations, nearly 9 million households in Western Europe
    are expected to watch HDTV over satellite in 2010*, representing 60
    per cent of all expected HDTV households.

    "The increase of HD offers on ASTRA shows that our satellite
    system is continuing to play a leading role in digitalisation and the
    extension of HD offers across Europe", says Alexander Oudendijk, Chief
    Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA. "The increase also highlights the
    rising interest of broadcasters in HDTV and the advantages that the
    ASTRA Satellite System offers to broadcasters: high bandwidth, widest
    geographical reach and best transmission quality. We are certain that
    the further acceleration of the HD development will support a
    continuous and consistent transition from analogue to digital
    broadcasting."

    * Source Screen Digest

    About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com

    SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in
    Europe, delivering services to some 107 million Direct-to-Home and
    cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet currently comprises 13
    satellites, transmitting more than 1,700 analogue and digital
    television and radio channels. SES ASTRA also provides satellite-based
    multimedia, internet and telecommunication services to enterprises,
    governments and their agencies. With 19 High Definition (HD) channels
    available via its satellites today, ASTRA is also the most important
    HDTV broadcasting platform in Europe. ASTRA's prime orbital positions
    are 19.2(degree) East, 28.2(degree) East and 23.5(degree) East.

    SES ASTRA is an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG). SES wholly
    owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe,
    SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES, which provides
    global connectivity as well as coverage. The Company also holds
    strategic participations in AsiaSat in Asia, Star One in Latin
    America, SES Sirius in Europe, Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico.
    Americom Government Services provides network solutions and bandwidth
    to the US government and its contractors. SES provides outstanding
    satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 44 satellites on 33
    orbital positions around the globe. Additional information on SES is
    available at: www.ses-global.com