SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company, has announced today at the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam that it has signed a second transponder contract with the public Polish television TVP (Telewizja Polska SA). The additional capacity on SES ASTRA`s prime orbital position 19.2 ° East will enable TVP to enhance its existing channel line-up on ASTRA by new thematic channels like TVP SPORT, TVP ROZRYWKA (entertainment), TVP FILM, TVP HISTORIA and TVP INFO.
TVP has been broadcasting from one transponder on ASTRA 19.2° East since last year for its encrypted channels TVP 1 and TVP 2 as well as TVP 3, TV POLONIA and TVP KULTURA, which are free to air.
With almost 40 million inhabitants and 12 million TV households, Poland is SES ASTRA`s largest market in Central and Eastern Europe and TVP is one of the most important broadcasters in the region. SES ASTRA reaches some 107 million households across Europe.
Thanks to this agreement, the Polish people will gain easier access to the new thematic channels to be broadcast by TVP soon. This is very good news for the Polish TV viewers, said Marcin Bochenek, Vice President of TVP.
The new contract with TVP is another important milestone in our strategic partnership and a major step to develop our position in the Polish and Central and Eastern European market, said Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA. The contract allows TVP to enhance its offer to its audiences in Poland and all across Europe. We are very pleased with this cooperation which enables us to build an even stronger base for further future growth in this all important market.