SES ASTRA Signs Long-Term Contract With BSkyB For 24 Transponders

LUXEMBOURG--(Business Wire)--
SES ASTRA, an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG), announced today that it has
renewed contracts with BSkyB (Sky) for 24 transponders on a long-term basis on
ASTRA`s 28.2 degrees East orbital position. In total Sky is using 31
transponders on the ASTRA satellite system.

This agreement confirms a long-running relationship, which began in 1989 when
Sky launched its first analogue multi-channel package on board the ASTRA 1A
satellite. Sky is one of the world`s leading satellite pay TV operators with
over 9.3 million customers, including more than one million High Definition (HD)
subscribers.

Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA, said: "Sky was our
first customer and we are delighted that a relationship which dates back to 1989
will continue to grow and develop for many years to come. The continued trust in
ASTRA allows for the further growth of the UK and Ireland satellite DTH market
and an exciting TV-offer on a long-term basis."

Mike Darcey, Sky`s Chief Operating Officer, said: "Our success is driven by
delivering high-quality content and services on a reliable and flexible
platform. Our relationship with ASTRA has been long and fruitful and our
decision to renew our commitment is based on a belief in satellite`s ongoing
ability to deliver quality services, like HD, on a scalable and nationwide
basis. With 99 percent coverage of the UK and Ireland, and the most effective
delivery mechanism for HD, Sky has the ability to scale in line with the
increasing demand from consumers for HD, one million of whom already subscribe
to Sky+HD. Sky`s hybrid distribution strategy also harnesses a state-of-the art
broadband network to deliver one-to-one content services."

About SES ASTRAwww.ses-astra.com

SES ASTRA is the leading Direct-to-Home (DTH) satellite system in Europe. The
satellite fleet currently comprises 14 ASTRA and two SIRIUS satellites. The
combined satellite system delivers services to more than 122 million DTH and
cable households and transmits nearly 2,500 analogue and digital television and
radio channels. SES ASTRA also provides satellite-based multimedia, internet and
telecommunication services to enterprises, governments and their agencies. With
nearly 70 High Definition (HD) channels on its main orbital positions, ASTRA and
SIRIUS represent the most important HDTV platform for Europe's leading
broadcasters. The prime orbital positions for ASTRA and SIRIUS are 19.2° East,
28.2° East, 23.5° East, 5° East and 31.5° East.

SES ASTRA is an SES company (Paris:SESG) (LuxX:SESG). SES owns two
market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe and SES AMERICOM-NEW
SKIES which provides global coverage and connectivity. The company owns 90
percent of SES SIRIUS in Europe, as well as strategic participations in Ciel in
Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite communications
solutions via a fleet of 40 satellites in 26 orbital positions around the globe.
Additional information on SES is available at: www.ses.com

About Sky

Sky is the UK`s leading entertainment and communications company, operating the
most comprehensive multi-channel television service. Over 9.3 million homes - a
third of households across the UK and Ireland - enjoy the very best
entertainment, movies, news and sports channels on Sky Digital. In delivering
entertainment through the TV, PC and mobile, customers have more control and
flexibility over what, how and when they watch.

Over 5 million customers now choose Sky+, Sky`s digital video recorder, to
record and store their favourite programmes and over a million homes enjoy the
unprecedented picture and sound quality of Sky+HD, which offers 33 dedicated HD
channels. Sky is also the UK`s fastest growing broadband and fixed-telephony
provider with over 2 million customers taking Sky Broadband and just under 1.7
million customers taking Sky Talk.

Markus Payer
SES ASTRA
+ 352 710 725 500
markus.payer@ses-astra.com
or
Stephen Gaynor
Sky
+44 (0)207 705 3446
stephen.gaynor@bskyb.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009