SES ASTRA signs new long-term contract with Canal+

[Analoguesat]

SES ASTRA, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), has announced today that it has signed a new long-term contract with the French Pay-TV operator CANAL+ Group for the satellite transmission of its programme bouquet for the French market from ASTRA`s prime orbital position 19.2° East. Based on this new contract, SES ASTRA will transmit the full programming line up of CANAL+ Group from a single orbital position. CANAL+ Group has recently merged its pay-TV operations in France with that of TPS.

In the agreement, CANAL+ Group takes several ASTRA transponders in addition to those currently contracted from SES ASTRA. The agreement therefore provides the satellite capacity which is necessary to consolidate the complete newly merged CANALSAT bouquet on a single orbital position. It will allow CANAL+ Group to broadcast and develop its complete High Definition (HD) satellite bouquet and will also provide further room for growth for Standard Definition (SD) services. Furthermore, the agreement provides and foresees a framework for the long-term growth requirements of CANAL+ Group.

“With this contract, we significantly enhance our position in the French market and further strengthen our relationship with CANAL+ as one of our most important European customers”, says Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA. “SES ASTRA and CANAL+ have developed a strong partnership over the past ten years, and we look forward to continuing to provide satellite services of the highest quality and reliability to the merged bouquet. Broadcasting the new offer from one orbital position is undoubtedly the best solution for CANAL+ and its subscribers and viewers. SES ASTRA once again demonstrates its strengths and shows that it is the satellite provider of choice for important blue chip customers.”

[BGonaSTICK]

Looks like they must have a way out of the TPS Hotbird contract then... :?