SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG)
(LuxX:SESG), has signed contracts with the German TV channels of MTV
Networks (MTV, VIVA, NICK and Comedy Central) and the German RTL
family (RTL, VOX, RTL II, Super RTL, n-tv, RTL Shop and Traumpartner
TV) to use its new digital infrastructure. The new service enables TV
channels to expand their digital offers. The launch of the new SES
ASTRA infrastructure is planned for the first half of next year. The
contracts are being examined by the German Federal Cartel Office
(Bundeskartellamt).
SES ASTRA`s new access system offers satellite households a basis
for the reception of an even broader range of current and future
digital features. This range includes additional digital programs and
program packages, interactive TV, electronic program guides and
personal video recorders and also the more than 200 digital TV
programs and around 200 digital radio programs currently available
over ASTRA. TV households will be able to use the new digital offer if
they have a satellite dish and a suitable satellite receiver with an
appropriate smart card which will be distributed by a new SES ASTRA
subsidiary. This subsidiary intends to charge households a low monthly
flat rate of up to 3.50 Euros for the use of the technology.
The launch of the new SES ASTRA infrastructure will offer TV
operators the possibility for tailor-made digital programs, program
packages and services like Pay-per-View or Near-Video-on-Demand over
satellite. Furthermore, it will allow broadcasters to protect their
digital programs with an encoded signal against unauthorized use. In
order to allow for a smooth transition after the launch of the
infrastructure, the digital signals of certain programs will be
broadcast by SES ASTRA in parallel in an encrypted and unencrypted
form. TV programs which are transmitted over satellite but do not sign
up for the new system will remain unaffected and continue to be
received by all ASTRA satellite households.
"The SES ASTRA service offers new possibilities and added value to
TV viewers and allows broadcasters to further develop their business
models", said Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA. "The
contracts with MTV Networks and the RTL family therefore represent an
important milestone in the development of digital satellite TV. Our
service is neutral and open to all program operators who want to use
it. We are proud that MTV Networks and the RTL family rely on our
long-standing experience in the distribution and expansion of their
digital offers and will continue to deliver the highest level of
service and technical excellence to all our customers."
About SES ASTRA www.ses-astra.com
The ASTRA Satellite System is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH)
satellite system in Europe, delivering services to some 107 million
Direct-to-Home and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet
currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1600
analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as
multimedia and Internet services. ASTRA's two prime orbital positions
for DTH services are 19.2 degrees East and 28.2 degrees East.
Professional services such as Direct-to cable (DTC), Satellite
Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital
position of 23.5 degrees East.
SES ASTRA is an SES GLOBAL company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG). SES
GLOBAL wholly owns three market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA
in Europe, SES AMERICOM in the US and New Skies Satellites in the rest
of the world. The Company also holds strategic participations in
AsiaSat in Asia, Star One in Latin America, SES Sirius in Europe, Ciel
in Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico. Americom Government Services
provides network solutions and bandwidth to the US government and its
contractors. SES GLOBAL provides outstanding satellite communications
solutions via a fleet of 43 satellites across the globe. Additional
info on SES GLOBAL at: www.ses-global.com.
