SES Astra has announced the signing of a long-term contract for the broadcast of MTVNHD in France. The service will be transmitted round-the-clock from 19.2 degrees East and part of CanalSat’s HD option. Separately, MTV Networks International has announced launches on Sky in the UK and HOT in Israel before the end of the year.
With MTVNHD, the number of HD channels distributed on the Astra Satellite System will increase to 58. By the end of 2010, SES ASTRA expects to transmit around 100 HD channels.
Alexander Oudendijk, chief commercial officer of SES Astra, said in a statement: “We are very pleased that MTV Networks continues the development of its HD programme via Astra. With the launch of MTVNHD in France, Astra further improves its impressive HD channel line-up and continues to build a very attractive neighbourhood on its main orbital positions.”
On Canalsat, the HD offer now includes Canal+ HD, TF1 HD, France 2 HD, M6 HD, 13ème Rue HD, National Geographic Channel HD, Cine Cinema Premier HD, Ushuaïa HD, Sci-Fi HD and Disney Cinemagic HD. Eurosport HD will launch on CanalSat on December 7.
MTVNHD’s second wave of launches will also see the channel, which also includes Nickelodeon programming, make its Latin America debut in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Caribbean Islands and Uruguay.
