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
