UPC TO ACTIVATE MORE ASTRA CAPACITY

UPC contracts fourth ASTRA transponder at 19.2° East to offer dedicated digital services in Central & Eastern Europe

Société Européenne des Satellites (SES) is pleased to announce that following the successful roll-out by UPC of the Wizja TV digital service in Poland, UPC has contracted an additional ASTRA transponder at 19.2° East.

By contracting ASTRA transponder No. 73 (11.8755 GHz, Horizontal polarisation) UPC will be able to develop dedicated digital programme packages for audiences in Hungary and, at a later date, in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The service for Hungary, to be called UPC Direct, launches on ASTRA today and will feature programmes in local languages including premium and thematic channels.

Commenting on this agreement, Yves Elsen, Commercial and Marketing Director of SES, stated: " We are delighted that UPC has chosen ASTRA to open new digital satellite markets in Central and Eastern Europe by delivering new tailored packages of digital services direct to homes in this fast-growing region. The addition of dedicated local language services to ASTRA's already distinctive line-up of digital services will greatly enhance the appeal of ASTRA in Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia. The new UPC service will also be complemented by a growing choice of internationally available free-to-air digital services on ASTRA."

Nimrod Kovacs, Chairman of UPC Central, said: "We are very excited about the launch of UPC Direct on ASTRA. It is a unique service, specifically tailored to local viewer preferences. We believe it is going to be hugely popular. Furthermore it is the latest step in our commitment to pushing forward the boundaries of home entertainment and offering more choice and higher standards at greater value."

At the end of 1999, 4.68 million homes in the three countries were receiving services from ASTRA either via direct-to-home and SMATV communal systems or cable networks - 2.36 million in Hungary, 1.18 million in the Czech Republic and 1.14 million in Slovakia.*

(* Source: SES/ASTRA commissioned Satellite Monitors, Year-End 99)

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