SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), has secured a long-term contract to provide British Sky Broadcasting (Sky) with three additional 28.2° East transponders.

Sky will take advantage of the increased availability of transponder capacity to transmit its forthcoming package of high-definition (HD) television services, which is due to be launched in the UK and Ireland in the first half of 2006. The Sky HD service will deliver substantially superior picture quality than standard-definition television broadcasts and will include a range of channels including sports, movies, general entertainment and documentaries.

The launch of HD is part of Sky’s continuing commitment to lead innovation in television entertainment following its previous introduction of the UK’s first digital television service, first interactive television service and first integrated Digital Video Recorder. Sky believes that the introduction of HD will strengthen further the distinctiveness of the digital satellite platform and appeal to the increasing number of consumers who seek to enhance their viewing experience with HD Ready display equipment. In addition to the package of channels to be offered by Sky, other broadcasters on the digital satellite platform will also be able to take advantage of its HD capabilities to enhance the experience offered to their viewers.

Richard Freudenstein, BSkyB’s Chief Operating Officer, said: “The launch of HD is a significant development in broadcasting, offering a step change in quality that will strengthen Sky’s appeal to existing and future customers. Innovation and technology leadership will remain at the core of the Sky brand as we progress towards our target of 10 million customers.

“Sky has enjoyed a long-running and co-operative relationship with ASTRA. We look forward to extending this relationship into the HD arena as a result of this agreement.”

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SES ASTRA’s President and CEO, Ferdinand Kayser, said: "We have been a partner of Sky since the launch of its UK DTH services in 1989. This important deal is an excellent endorsement of the quality and strength of our service and highlights BSkyB’s long-term confidence in ASTRA.”

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