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SES ASTRA launches new HD offer in Germany

05.06.2009

HD+ offers programmes in High Definition via satellite / First new channels are RTL and VOX in High Definition

Luxembourg, 5 June 2009 – SES ASTRA, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), announced today the launch of a new TV offer in High Definition (HD) in Germany. The service with the label HD+ will offer new HD programmes to TV households. The first programmes which will be part of the HD+ offer are the commercial channels RTL and VOX. Relevant agreements have been signed with the Media Group RTL Germany. RTL has contracted additional long-term transponder capacity for the transmission of the new HD programmes from ASTRA`s prime orbital position 19.2 degrees East.

HD+ is independent from TV operators and offers the technical management and the marketing of HD programmes for all broadcasters. The technical management includes the distribution of the smart cards that are necessary for the reception. SES ASTRA will start negotiations with other channels to enlarge the offer. HD+ complements the broad digital programme offer that is available already today on ASTRA. The launch of HD+ is foreseen for late autumn.

“The new service creates attractive added value for viewers,” says Wilfried Urner, Managing Director of the newly founded ASTRA operating unit HD PLUS in Unterföhring near Munich. “High Definition stands for crystal clear picture quality, intense colors and outstanding brightness and is the driving force for TV households to switch to digital reception. With HD+ we will create new possibilities for TV channels in the growth area of HD and increase the programme offer to TV viewers. This lays a new base for the reception of highly valuable HD programmes.”

For further information please contact:

Markus Payer
SES ASTRA
+ 352 710 725 500
markus.payer@ses-astra.com

More information about SES: www.ses.com

About SES ASTRA: www.ses-astra.com

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