Reflects the CMC's Commitment to Provide HITS Quantum via Satellite
SES AMERICOM's Newest Satellite, AMC-18, Now Sold Out
DENVER & PRINCETON, N.J.--(Business Wire)--
As part of its commitment to provide the next generation of video
services for cable operators, the Comcast Media Center (CMC), a
business unit of Comcast Cable, has expanded its relationship with SES
AMERICOM by signing a multi-year, multi-transponder contract.
Eventually, the CMC will use 29 C-band transponders in SES AMERICOM's
HD-PRIME(R) satellite neighborhood to deliver the current HITS Quantum
platform plus additional services to HITS affiliates. The move to
C-band from Ku-band will enhance service reliability and provide
easier access to more programming and advanced service offerings such
as HD and VOD.
With the signing of this deal, SES AMERICOM has executed
agreements with customers for all AMC-18 capacity, the newest
satellite in the AMERICOM fleet. SES AMERICOM's HD-PRIME(R)
neighborhood is the industry's only five-satellite-strong platform for
the ubiquitous delivery of HD programming to cable television headends
nationwide. Beginning this spring, the majority of video services
offered by HITS Quantum including standard and high definition linear
and non-linear programming will be available on three satellites in
SES AMERICOM's HD-PRIME(R) neighborhood: AMC-1, AMC-4 and AMC-18.
Initially, the CMC will use fifteen of the twenty-one AMC-18
transponders to continue the delivery of HITS Quantum HD channels,
expand the HD lineup and for offering the HITS Quantum Classic lineup,
which currently includes over 150 linear SD channels and 38 digital
audio services. The HITS Quantum SD lineup, which is available on AMC
4, currently includes digital feeds for 68 widely carried "basic and
expanded basic" channels. Video-on-demand programming, including the
CMC's "VOD In a Box" service, is available on the AMC-1 satellite.
HITS affiliates can receive these HITS Quantum services from all
three satellites with one antenna by retrofitting an existing antenna
that is already looking at one of these satellites or receive a new
one through SES AMERICOM's popular triple-feed antenna program. Access
to multiple services via one antenna allows affiliates to efficiently
deliver more programming choices and advanced services to their
customers by maximizing bandwidth without comprising quality.
"This expansion of the CMC's relationship with SES AMERICOM allows
our HITS affiliates to deploy a highly competitive lineup of advanced
video services while realizing a substantial savings in cost and
bandwidth without sacrificing quality," said Gary Traver, COO of
Comcast Media Center. "Our new satellite agreement joins several other
developments that, all told, represent the largest commitment by the
CMC or its predecessors, to HITS in the service's entire 15-year
history."
"The Comcast Media Center has truly ambitious plans to
dramatically increase their service offering including the number of
HD channels, and their selection of SES AMERICOM to play a key role in
this effort is a tremendous win for us," said Bryan McGuirk, President
of SES AMERICOM's Media and Enterprise division. "We have worked
closely with the Comcast Media Center on their technical evolutions of
HITS so we fully appreciate the innovations that they are instituting
and will ensure that our HD-PRIME(R) satellite distribution solution
meets their needs today and tomorrow."
The CMC's new agreement with SES AMERICOM is one of several
developments that the CMC is announcing in preparation for the
upcoming NCTC Winter Education Conference, which will be held in
Phoenix from February 17-19. The CMC is also expected to announce
several new services and enhancements to its existing offering that
are designed to address its affiliates' current and future needs for
digital headend equipment, bandwidth reclamation and the launch of
advanced services.
About Comcast Media Center
Denver-based Comcast Media Center (CMC), a business unit of
Comcast Cable, provides centralized content management and
distribution solutions for cable system operators and members of the
content community, including television programming networks,
independent producers and advertisers "All From The Center." The CMC's
multiplatform content distribution services includes its HITS Quantum
all- digital platform of over 210 linear HDTV and standard definition
digital video and audio services; an Advertising Distribution Network
(ADN) for centrally managing cross channel promotions and advertising;
and a video on demand (VOD) platform that manages and distributes over
7,000 VOD assets each month. The CMC also provides a full spectrum of
content production, management and distribution services, including
channel origination, transcoding, hosting, storage and IP
multicasting, for traditional and new media platforms. More
information is available at http://www.comcastmediacenter.com
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK)
(http://www.comcast.com) is the nation's leading provider of
entertainment, information and communications products and services.
With 24.2 million cable customers, 12.9 million high-speed Internet
customers, and 4.1 million voice customers, Comcast is principally
involved in the development, management and operation of broadband
cable systems and in the delivery of programming content.
Comcast's content networks and investments include E!
Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf Channel, VERSUS, G4,
AZN Television, PBS KIDS Sprout, TV One, ten regional Comcast
SportsNets and Comcast Interactive Media, which develops and operates
Comcast's Internet business. Comcast also has a majority ownership in
Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the Philadelphia
Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and
two large multipurpose arenas in Philadelphia.
About SES AMERICOM www.ses-americom.com
As the leading supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES
AMERICOM serves broadcasters, cable programmers, aeronautical and
maritime communications integrators, internet service providers,
mobile communications networks, government agencies, educational
institutions, carriers and secure global data networks with efficient
communications and content distribution solutions. The company,
recognized as a major innovator of advanced satellite communications
services, operates a fleet of 15 spacecraft in orbital positions
predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. In addition,
AMERICOM Government Services (AGS), a wholly-owned subsidiary, is
dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to
both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. Government.
About SES
SES AMERICOM is an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg
Stock Exchange: SESG). SES wholly owns three market-leading satellite
operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, SES AMERICOM in North America, and SES
NEW SKIES, which provide global coverage and connectivity. The company
also holds strategic participations in SES Sirius in Europe, Ciel in
Canada and Quetzsat in Mexico. SES provides outstanding satellite
communications solutions via a fleet of 38 satellites in 25 orbital
positions around the globe. Additional information on SES is available
at: www.ses.com
Media Contacts:
SES AMERICOM:
Monica Morgan
609-987-4143
monica.morgan@ses-americom.com
or
Comcast Media Center:
Andy Holdgate
720-270-1325
holdgatepr@comcast.net
Copyright Business Wire 2008
