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
