Empresas y finanzas

Spain´s First HD Channel Launched on ASTRA



    SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), today
    announced the launch of Spain´s first HD channel on ASTRA. The new HD
    channel is called Canal+ HD and is part of Sogecable´s digital pay-TV
    package Digital+ which broadcasts via ASTRA on 19.2 degrees East. The
    programme line-up of Canal+ HD includes premium movies, series and
    sports events such as the 2008 European Soccer Championship whose 31
    matches will be broadcast all in HD.

    SES ASTRA had announced in October 2007 an agreement with
    Sogecable for the use of an additional transponder for digital TV and
    HDTV. With that agreement, Sogecable has secured a total of 11
    transponders on the ASTRA Satellite System on a long term basis.

    SES ASTRA also entered into a partnership with Sogecable to
    promote its new HD offer. The cooperation includes joint commercial
    and marketing activities for retailers, customers and the TV viewers.

    "The fact that Spain´s first HD channel broadcasts via ASTRA
    proves that our satellites are the technology of choice for high
    definition," says Luis Sahun, Managing Director ASTRA Marketing
    Iberica. "We are proud that Sogecable, being a pioneer in the Spanish
    HDTV market, has chosen ASTRA to broadcast Canal+ HD."

    After the launch of Canal+ HD, SES ASTRA will transmit 29 HD
    channels. The company thereby features Europe´s most extensive choice
    of HD channels from leading broadcasters including BSkyB, BBC,
    Discovery, National Geographic, CANAL+, M6, TF1 and Premiere. By end
    of 2010, SES ASTRA expects to transmit 100 HD channels.

    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 29 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 degrees East, 28.2 degrees East, and 23.5 degrees 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 38 satellites in 25 orbital positions around the globe.
    Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses.com