Czech TV-Platform CS
Link Signs For More Astra Capacity
(8 May 2008) SES Astra, an SES
company, has signed an agreement for an additional transponder on its new prime
orbital position - 23.5 degrees East - for the Czech Pay-TV platform CS
Link.
The new capacity is to be used by CS Link to broadcast an
enhanced programme package. CS Link is the largest pay-TV platform in the Czech
Republic with 400,000 customers, and transmits in total 25 TV and 11 radio
programmes. With the new agreement, CS Link will use three transponders on the
Astra Satellite system.
SES Astra is successfully developing its 23.5
degrees East orbital position into a new location for Direct-to-Home (DTH). Two
Astra satellites, Astra 3A and Astra 1E, occupy this position and currently
serve Central Europe, the Benelux countries and German cable networks, as well
as offering the high-speed broadband service Astra2Connect. Benelux, the Czech
Republic and Slovakia have generated strong demand on 23.5 degrees East in
2007, increasing the reach of these satellites to 700,000 DTH households and
another 1.7 million households receiving their signal through cable head-ends
in these regions. Source: SES Astra Satellite Monitor, Year End
2007
"Our 23.5 degrees East orbital position has already become a top
slot for Benelux and Central European broadcasters, and we intend to develop
this new hot spot in other markets as well," says Alexander Oudendijk, Chief
Commercial Officer of SES Astra. "By using a simple technical device, the Duo
LNB, satellite households can significantly increase their choice of
international free-to-air channels, and receive signals from two Astra
positions, 19.2 degrees East and 23.5 degrees East. The agreement with CS Link
represents a further strengthening of Astra's position in the Central and
Eastern European markets."
"We chose the Astra satellite system because
of its attractive neighbourhood of renowned broadcasters, and its excellent
market reach in the Czech Republic and other European countries," said Leos
Pohl, Chairman of the Czech Digital Group, which operates CS Link. "With this
new capacity we are able to further enhance the attractiveness of the CS Link
platform. We recognise SES Astra's long-standing experience in providing
technical excellence, which will guarantee us a high quality service with broad
audience reach."
About SES Astra
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, 5° East and 31.5° East.
SES Astra is an
SES company. 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.
(source: SES
Astra)
