☰

ORF Starts HDTV Channel on ASTRA


    SES ASTRA (Paris:SESG)(LuxX:SESG), an SES company (Euronext Paris
    and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), today announced the launch of
    ORF HD on ASTRA. The new channel will start broadcasting first of May
    and offer the complete program of ORF1 in HD format including the 31
    matches of the UEFA EURO 2008(TM). ORF HD is the first regular high
    definition channel launched by a public broadcaster in the German
    speaking countries.

    The agreement with ORF allows the use of additional capacity for
    the HD channel. In cooperation with the ORF service company ORS, it
    includes the possibility for further HD programs with which this new
    capacity will ramp up to a full transponder in January 2010. As part
    of the agreement, SES ASTRA and ORF will also cooperate to promote the
    new HD offer. The cooperation foresees joint commercial and marketing
    activities for retailers and will start this month.

    States Wolfgang ElsaBer, Managing Director of ASTRA Deutschland:
    "With a market share of 55 percent in satellite reception, Austria is
    already the number one in Europe and shows excellent growth rates.
    Last year, digital satellite reception has increased by nearly 50
    percent in Austria. ASTRA today provides 374 digital TV channels to
    the Austrian market. The launch of ORF HD will further enhance the
    attractive offer on ASTRA and drive the growth of satellite in this
    dynamic market."

    After the launch of ORF HD, the combined satellite systems of SES
    ASTRA and SES SIRIUS will transmit 31 HD channels. The company thereby
    features Europe´s most extensive choice of HD channels from leading
    broadcasters in Europe including BSkyB, BBC, Discovery, National
    Geographic, CANAL+, M6, TF1 and Premiere. By end of 2010, SES ASTRA
    expects to transmit around 100 HD channels.

    About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com

    SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in
    Europe. The satellite fleet currently comprises 12 ASTRA and three
    SIRIUS satellites. The combined satellite system delivers services to
    more than 117 million DTH and cable households and transmits a total
    of 2,295 analogue and digital television as well as radio channels.
    SES ASTRA also provides satellite-based multimedia, internet and
    telecommunication services to enterprises, governments and their
    agencies. With more than 30 High Definition (HD) channels available
    via its satellites today, ASTRA and SIRIUS represent the most
    important HDTV broadcasting platform in Europe. The prime orbital
    positions for ASTRA and SIRIUS are 19.2(degree) East, 28.2(degree)
    East, 23.5(degree) East and 5(degree) 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 provides global
    coverage and connectivity. The company owns 90 percent of SES SIRIUS
    in Europe, as well as strategic participations in 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