SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), announced
today that pay-TV broadcaster Premiere has signed an agreement to use
SES ASTRA's digital satellite platform entavio in Germany. Starting on
September 1, 2007, new Premiere customers will be offered the Premiere
programmes also via entavio. With this agreement, entavio wins a first
important pay-TV client for its technical services. entavio-enabled
receivers will be widely available in the market.
The new agreement also improves SES ASTRA`s ability to offer all
broadcasters access to more than 2.5 million Premiere and
Premiere-enabled satellite receivers in German TV households. SES
ASTRA will continue to offer this access to other programme operators
on neutral and transparent terms. SES ASTRA thereby further increases
the attractiveness of its service portfolio to broadcasters.
"The agreement with Premiere is a major step forward for entavio,
and gives us the critical mass for the upcoming market start of our
new satellite connection", said Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of
SES ASTRA. "entavio positions itself as an open and neutral technical
satellite platform, which gives satellite households access to a whole
range of digital TV programmes and services, and offers programme
operators access to those households. SES ASTRA thereby further
strengthens its position as a neutral technical service provider for
broadcasters, and creates a broad basis for extended offers and more
competition in the pay-TV market."
Georg Kofler, CEO of Premiere: "We are delighted to be part of
this important project to enhance digitalisation right from the start.
The addressable digital TV receiver with a smart card is a futureproof
concept. entavio will grow with Premiere - and Premiere with entavio.
Backed by the technical and economic strength of SES ASTRA, entavio
will soon become an important player in the market for digital TV.
Furthermore, the reception of Premiere via entavio will in a few years
become as easy and natural for millions of TV homes as receiving a
telephone call."
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 12
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
19.2(degree) East, 28.2(degree) East, and 23.5(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 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 36 satellites in 25 orbital positions around the globe.
Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses.com
