Czech TV-Platform CS Link Signs for More ASTRA Capacity

SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), has signed an

agreement for an additional transponder on its new prime orbital

position - 23.5 degrees East - for the Czech Pay-TV platform CS Link.

The new capacity is to be used by CS Link to broadcast an enhanced

programme package. CS Link is the largest pay-TV platform in the Czech

Republic with 400,000 customers, and transmits in total 25 TV and 11

radio programmes. With the new agreement, CS Link will use three

transponders on the ASTRA Satellite system.
SES ASTRA is successfully developing its 23.5 degrees East orbital

position into a new location for Direct-to-Home (DTH). Two ASTRA

satellites, ASTRA 3A and ASTRA 1E, occupy this position and currently

serve Central Europe, the Benelux countries and German cable networks

as well as offering the high-speed broadband service ASTRA2Connect.

Benelux, the Czech Republic and Slovakia have generated strong demand on

23.5 degrees East in 2007, increasing the reach of these satellites to

700,000 DTH households and another 1.7 million households receiving

their signal through cable head-ends in these regions.1
"Our 23.5 degrees East orbital position has

already become a top slot for Benelux and Central European broadcasters

and we intend to develop this new hot spot in other markets as well," says Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA. "By

using a simple technical device, the Duo LNB, satellite households can

significantly increase their choice of international free-to-air

channels, and receive signals from two ASTRA positions, 19.2 degrees

East and 23.5 degrees East. The agreement with CS Link represents a

further strengthening of ASTRA´s position in

the Central and Eastern European markets."
"We chose the ASTRA satellite system because

of its attractive neighborhood of renowned broadcasters, and its

excellent market reach in the Czech Republic and other European

countries," said Leos Pohl, Chairman of the

Czech Digital Group, which operates CS Link. "With

this new capacity we are able to further enhance the attractiveness of

the CS Link platform. We recognise SES ASTRA´s

long-standing experience in providing technical excellence, which will

guarantee us a high quality service with broad audience reach."
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 13 ASTRA and two 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 and radio channels. SES ASTRA also

provides satellite-based multimedia, internet and telecommunication

services to enterprises, governments and their agencies. With 34 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° East, 28.2° East, 23.5° East, 5° East and 31.5° 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
Find more information about CS Link at www.cslink.cz
1 Source: SES ASTRA Satellite Monitor, Year End

2007