SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company
(Paris:SESG)(LuxX:SESG), has announced today at the International
Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam that it has signed a second
transponder contract with the public Polish television TVP (Telewizja
Polska SA). The additional capacity on SES ASTRA`s prime orbital
position 19.2 (degree) East will enable TVP to enhance its existing
channel line-up on ASTRA by new thematic channels like TVP SPORT, TVP
ROZRYWKA (entertainment), TVP FILM, TVP HISTORIA and TVP INFO. TVP has
been broadcasting from one transponder on ASTRA 19.2(degree) East
since last year for its encrypted channels TVP 1 and TVP 2 as well as
TVP 3, TV POLONIA and TVP KULTURA, which are free to air.
With almost 40 million inhabitants and 12 million TV households,
Poland is SES ASTRA`s largest market in Central and Eastern Europe and
TVP is one of the most important broadcasters in the region. SES ASTRA
reaches some 107 million households across Europe.
"Thanks to this agreement, the Polish people will gain easier
access to the new thematic channels to be broadcast by TVP soon. This
is very good news for the Polish TV viewers", said Marcin Bochenek,
Vice President of TVP.
"The new contract with TVP is another important milestone in our
strategic partnership and a major step to develop our position in the
Polish and Central and Eastern European market", said Alexander
Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA. "The contract allows
TVP to enhance its offer to its audiences in Poland and all across
Europe. We are very pleased with this cooperation which enables us to
build an even stronger base for further future growth in this all
important market."
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 1700
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(degree) East and 28.2(degree) East.
Professional services such as Direct-to cable (DTC), Satellite
Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital
position of 23.5(degree) 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 SES NEW SKIES 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 44 satellites across the globe. Additional info on SES GLOBAL
at: www.ses-global.com.
About TVP www.tvp.pl
Polish Television (TVP) is the largest and most experienced
broadcaster in Poland. Polish Television TVP comprises 5 channels and
16 regional stations. These channels are TVP1, TVP2, TVP3 featuring
local news and stories, TV Polonia, a channel specially created for
Polish expatriate communities worldwide and finally TVP Kultura, which
presents programmes dedicated to presentation wide area of art,
science and history. Together they stand for 52% of the national TV
market. Polish Television reaches virtually every home in Poland. We
broadcast more than 110,000 hours of programming each year via four
channels. TVP1 and TVP2 are the largest nationwide television channels
in Poland, covering 98.7% and 97.9% of the country respectively and
reaching 99% of the population.
TVP has been for years a major producer of TV shows, feature
movies and drama. TVP airs many programs that do not have any
equivalents in commercial stations, among them a wide selection of
cultural offers and the truly unique Polish TV Theatre. There cannot
be good television without good film. Polish Television is the largest
producer of made-for television films in Poland, which means that TVP
viewers can virtually follow the accomplishments of Polish filmmakers
as they occur. TVP is the largest Polish producer of documentary
films. It also participates in the production of prestigious feature
movies.
TVP is a full-fledged member of the European Broadcasting Union
(EBU) since 1993 and participates on numerous occasions in the works
of the organization's executive bodies, task teams and work groups.
TVP belongs to many international media organizations, incl.: URTI
(International Radio and Television University), Bruges Group
(European Trans-National Public Service Broadcasters), CIRCOM Regional
(European Association of Regional TV Stations), EGTA (European Group
of Television Advertising), IAA (International Advertising Agency),
NAB (National Association of Broadcasters - the USA), EUROSPORT and
many others.
Since January 2001, TVP has been an associate member of ARTE, the
European Cultural Channel. TVP has been cooperating with ARTE since
1996.
