Spain's First HD Channel Launched on ASTRA

BETZDORF, Luxembourg--(BUSINESS WIRE)--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° 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 Ibérica. "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° East, 28.2° East, and 23.5° 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

Posted by Shane Sturgeon, February 8, 2008 4:40 AM