Astra satellite operator SES has extended its contracts with Austrian public broadcaster ORF and its content distribution subsidiary ORS Group for TV distribution on its 19.2° East orbital position.
The multi-year agreement covers the satellite transmission of ORF’s national TV channels ORF 1 HD, ORF 2 HD, ORF III HD, ORF Sport plus HD, regional programmes from the Austrian federal states, as well as ORF’s portfolio of radio stations.
“Satellite remains the leading platform for TV reception in Austria and is therefore crucial for the distribution of ORF’s TV and radio programmes,” said Harald Kräuter, Director of Technology and Digitisation at ORF. “With this contract extension, we are able to provide our audience with the highest quality programming via satellite as part of our distribution strategy, underscoring that linear TV will continue to be a key reception method for many years to come.”
“For many years, SES has been a key partner in the distribution of ORF’s linear programming and for numerous national and international channels carried by ORS,” added Michael Wagenhofer, Managing Director of ORS Group. “I am very pleased that we will continue this trusted partnership in the future.”
“The long-term extension of our agreement reaffirms the importance of satellite broadcasting for Austria,” said Norbert Hölzle, Global Head of Media at SES. “For a country with such diverse topography, satellite TV provides the ideal solution to reach every household with content in the highest image quality – something that is even more critical for a public broadcaster like ORF.”
With over 50% of Austrian households relying on satellite TV, the SES satellites at 19.2° East play a key role by directly broadcasting TV channels to 2 million households, including the ORF programmes and the services of ORS Group’s national and international partners.
