Astra claims 30% increase in HD channels

SES Astra has announced that the number of HD channels broadcast via the Astra Satellite System has increased significantly in the last three months. At the beginning of October 2008, the number of HD channels reached 55 – representing an increase of 13 channels or 30% since August. The SES group, including SES Astra, SES Americom and SES New Skies, today transmits a total of 137 HD channels.

With 55 HD channels broadcast from its main orbital positions, Astra represents the most important HDTV platform in Europe, including HD channels from Europe’s leading pay-TV bouquets such as Sky for the UK; CanalSat for France; Premiere for Germany; Digital+ for Spain; Viasat for Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland; Canal Digitaal for The Netherlands; TV Vlaanderen for Belgium; and SkyLink for the Czech and Slovak Republics. Astra also features HD channels from Europe’s biggest public broadcasters such as the BBC for the UK, ARTE for Germany, ORF for Austria and TVP for Poland.

Alexander Oudendijk, chief commercial officer of SES Astra, said in statement: “The rapid growth in the number of HD channels clearly shows that HDTV is taking off in Europe. With the new channels we further improve the impressive HD channel line-up and build a very attractive HD neighbourhood on our main orbital positions. The growing number of leading broadcasters choosing ASTRA proves that we have become the primary platform for premium HD content in Europe.”