Astra and BSkyB renew transponder agreement

The satellite broadcaster BSkyB has confirmed that it has renewed its agreement with SES – Astra, for 24 of the 31 transponders that are available at the 28.2 degree orbital slot.

The satellite operator, based in Luxembourg, has confirmed that this is part of a long term relationship between the firms that goes back to 1989, which was when Sky TV first launched its four channel analogue package on Astra 1A.

The remaining transponders were agreed upon at a later date and therefore do not require renewal for some time.

Astra has allowed the BSkyB network to grow significantly over the past twenty years and it will still be a large part of the satellite broadcaster’s plans for some time to come.

However, according to the chief operating officer of Sky, Mike Darcey, the broadcaster has plans to deliver HD to 99% of the UK and to bring in other ways of distribution such as broadband.