MX1, Astra extend Discovery contracts
December 22, 2016
SES has announced that MX1, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES and a global media service provider, and Astra, the largest European DTH satellite system, have extended their contracts with Discovery Networks Germany for capacity, content management and playout.
The contract covers the broadcasting of the Discovery channels DMAX, TLC, Eurosport 1 and DMAX Austria in SD, and DMAX, TLC and Eurosport 1 in HD via the ASTRA satellites at 19.2 degrees East. The agreement also allows Discovery Networks Germany to use the MX1 360 media service platform for content management and playout. The platform is fully integrated with the broadcaster’s systems and facilitates the management of pre-broadcast features such as planning commercial breaks from a single interface.
“We are very happy that Discovery Networks Germany relies on us as their preferred partner for services and distribution, and has chosen to extend their contracts for SD and HD on a longer-term basis,” commented Christoph Mühleib, Vice President Sales and Marketing SES and responsible for MX1 and Astra in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. “Discovery can count on the parallel broadcasting of their channels in SD and HD at least until 2021, and thus, optimise its technical reach in the German market.”