SES ASTRA Signs Agreements With ARD and ZDF For More Capacity

German public broadcasters contract two more transponders / Additional capacity for digital broadcasting

Betzdorf (Luxembourg) — SES ASTRA, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), has signed two long term agreements with ARD and ZDF to provide additional transponder capacity to the German public broadcasters.

On the basis of the agreements which extend over a period of 15 years, SES ASTRA provides ARD and ZDF with one additional transponder each. ARD and ZDF plan to utilize the new capacity to further develop the possibilities of digital broadcasting, including High Definition Television (HDTV). The transponders will be made available early next year.

Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA, said: “We are delighted to once again serve the capacity needs of ARD and ZDF. The agreement will reinforce the long lasting relationship with two of our main customers and allow them to further extend their digital services to German households.”