SES ASTRA Expands Its Interactive TV Service Blucom to the Arab World



    SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), announced
    today that it has signed a new contract for its interactive TV service
    Blucom for the Arab World. MBC, the leading free-to-air multi-channel
    media group in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, will
    use Blucom for voting, greeting, downloading, and other
    enhanced TV-applications for its flagship channel MBC1, its news
    channel Al Arabiya, and its Saudi Arabian radio channel MBC FM. The
    roll-out of the service will start end of October 2007 and is
    technically implemented by APS ASTRA Platform Services and its
    affiliated company 5Cast, both based in Munich, Germany.

    Blucom is an interactive TV-service that combines broadcast
    technologies with the mobile phone environment and thus enhances
    revenue models, branding and strengthens customer retention for TV
    broadcasters. Blucom synchronizes classic TV-content with additional
    information in real-time by displaying additional content and value
    added services on the mobile phones of the
    viewers. The backchannel and communication from the audience to the
    broadcaster function via SMS.

    MBC Group which is based in Dubai currently operates six digital
    TV channels as well as two digital radio channels, O3 Productions and
    Middle East News and has evolved into a global media group that
    enriches people's lives in the Arab world through information,
    interaction and entertainment. MBC reaches about 60 million households
    and has a market share of around 40 per cent.

    "The new Blucom contract shows the large potential that this
    innovative and interactive product has for many international
    markets", said Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES
    ASTRA. "Blucom offers TV viewers attractive added value and
    interactive possibilities and allows TV channels to broaden their
    offer and diversify into new content and revenue models."

    SES ASTRA had recently stepped up its marketing of Blucom in
    Germany with new TV-networks and distribution partners. The company
    enlarges its content offer with two German TV-networks, MTV Networks
    Germany and tv.gusto. The Blucom services of MTV Networks (MTV and
    VIVA) will cover interactive applications as well as additional
    program information. Among these are TV-guides, program teasers, news,
    and downloads. As a novelty, viewers that use Blucom can now also
    actively participate in the program of MTV and VIVA by using GPRS/
    UMTS.

    About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com

    SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in
    Europe, delivering services to more than 109 million DTH and cable
    households. The ASTRA satellite fleet currently comprises 13
    satellites, transmitting 1,864 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 26 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
    19.2degrees East, 28.2degrees East, and 23.5degrees East.

    SES ASTRA is an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG). SES owns
    three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES
    AMERICOM in North America, and SES NEW SKIES, which provide global
    coverage and connectivity. The Company also holds strategic
    participations in SES Sirius in Europe, Ciel in Canada and Quetzsat in
    Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications solutions
    via a fleet of 37 satellites in 25 orbital positions around the globe.
    Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses.com