SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG)(LuxX:SESG), today announced the
launch of a new High Definition (HD) bouquet on ASTRA targeting the
Dutch and Belgian markets. As of this month, Dutch satellite TV
provider, CanalDigitaal, and Belgian sister company, TV Vlaanderen
broadcast their new HDTV package via the ASTRA satellites at the 23.5
degrees East orbital position. The capacity for the new offer, namely
two transponders, was already contracted to the broadcasters in
September 2007. With the addition of the CanalDigitaal/TV Vlaanderen
High Definition offering, there are now 34 HD channels transmitted via
the ASTRA and SIRIUS satellites.
The initial offering includes the documentary channels, Discovery HD and
National Geographic HD, as well as the Dutch-based classical music and
opera channel Brava HDTV. The launch of additional HD channels is
planned for the near future. Furthermore, CanalDigitaal concluded an
agreement with Dutch public broadcaster, NOS, for the HD transmission of
the European Soccer Championship 2008 and the Olympic Games via ASTRA
23.5 degrees East.
According to the latest issue of the ASTRA Satellite Monitor, over
300,000 satellite homes in the Netherlands and Belgium are already
receiving programmes via 23.5 degrees East by using the ASTRA DUO LNB 60
or other ASTRA multi-feed reception solutions. Over 240,000 of these
homes are located in the Netherlands, representing half of the total
Dutch ASTRA DTH market.
States Bill Wijdeveld, Managing Director of ASTRA Benelux: "The
growth of the ASTRA 23.5 degrees East household reach has been
tremendous, especially taking into account that this new DTH position
was introduced in the Benelux market only one year ago. The start of the
HDTV bouquet is another important milestone in the development of ASTRA
23.5 degrees East as an additional DTH position for the Netherlands and
Belgium."
Apart from the CanalDigitaal/TV Vlaanderen HD channels, the Dutch
regional channels and thematic bouquets from CanalDigitaal and TV
Vlaanderen are available on ASTRA 23.5 degrees East. Via the same
orbital position, Dutch and Belgian consumers can now also enjoy the
benefits of high speed internet and VoIP (voice over internet protocol)
services via ASTRA2Connect. The new two-way broadband service is
purely satellite-based and will be marketed in Belgium and the
Netherlands as of June 1, 2008 by the provider Satelliet Electronics and
in cooperation with Siemens and Budget Phone Company.
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 and 31.5° East.
SES ASTRA is an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock
Exchange: 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
