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
