Archive notice: This article was originally published on October 30, 2009. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
SES Astra has concluded a contract with Sky Deutschland for three additional transponders at Astra’s main orbital position of 19.2 degrees East. The television entertainment platform will use the newly leased transmission capacity primarily to broadcast additional HD channels. According to Astra, Sky will use the first transponder from mid-2010, with the other two to follow in mid-2011 and mid-2012 respectively. Including the new contract, Sky Deutschland will therefore use ten Astra transponders. Sky Deutschland currently broadcasts seven HD channels in the German-speaking market.
“The advantages of digital television reception can be communicated particularly easily with programmes in HD quality. The new agreement between Sky and Astra is therefore another important step towards the digital television future and good news for all viewers with satellite reception,” explains Wolfgang Elsäßer, Managing Director of Astra Deutschland. “As the most attractive HD infrastructure with the greatest reach, Astra is the first choice for everyone who wants to watch first-class programming in the best quality—and for every broadcaster that wants to bring its programmes to screens digitally.”
“With seven HD channels at present, Sky already offers the most comprehensive HD service in the German-speaking market,” notes Hans-Jürgen Croissant, Senior Vice President Communications at Sky Deutschland. The three additional transponders were a clear signal that Sky was continuing to expand its HD service. The starting signal would come in the middle of the following year with four more HD channels.
