New Czech Parliament Channel 24.cz to Start Free-to-Air via ASTRA 19.2 Degrees East

Business Wire, Nov 3, 2004

BETZDORF, Luxembourg -- SES ASTRA, an SES GLOBAL company (FWB:SESG)(EURONEXT:SESG)(LuxX:SESG), and Region Media, a company based in Olomouc, Czech Republic, are pleased to announce the conclusion of an agreement for the free-to-air digital distribution of the new Czech Parliamentary Channel "24.cz" via ASTRA 19.2 (Degrees) East.

From 17th November 2004 onwards, exactly 15 years after the date that finally made the democratization process in the Czech Republic irrevocable, Channel 24.cz will feature live broadcasts from the Czech Parliament and Senate as well as features focusing on Czech politics. The channel aims to provide the general public with regular and up-to-date information on governmental activities and will broadcast 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.

24.cz will be broadcasting free-to-air via the ASTRA Satellite System at 19.2 (Degrees) East (ASTRA 2C, transponder 57, 10832.25 MHz, Horizontal, 22 Msymb/s, FEC 5/6), currently reaching over 94 millions cable and Direct-To-Home households in 30 European countries.

Alexander Oudendijk, SVP Sales & Marketing at SES ASTRA comments: "After having signed-up the music channel TV Ocko in Spring this year, we are very pleased to welcome 24.cz on board as our second Czech free-to-air TV Channel. 24.cz is an important addition to our existing line-up of over 120 digital free-to-air TV channels. Furthermore, the agreement with 24.cz represents a further strengthening of ASTRA's position in the Central and Eastern European market."

Mr. Leos Pohl, Representative of Region Media, the operator company of 24.cz, states: "We decided for distribution via the ASTRA Satellite System because of its attractive neighbourhood of renowned broadcasters and its optimal market reach in the Czech Republic and other European countries. Furthermore, we highly appreciate SES ASTRA's long-standing reputation of providing technical excellence throughout the whole distribution chain, including its unique in-orbit back-up security concept. All in all, the agreement with SES ASTRA guarantees 24.cz high quality service delivery with optimal market reach."

To further strengthen ASTRA's presence in the Central and Eastern European market, SES ASTRA recently opened an affiliate in Vienna, headed by Mr. Martin Kubacki (tel. +43 17073112, martin.kubacki@ses-astra.com).

About SES ASTRA

The ASTRA Satellite System is the leading Direct-to-Home satellite system in Europe, delivering services to more than 94 million Direct-to-Home and cable households. The ASTRA satellite fleet currently comprises 13 satellites, transmitting in excess of 1400 analogue and digital television and radio channels as well as multimedia and Internet services. ASTRA's two prime orbital positions for DTH (Direct-To-Home) services are 19.2 (Degrees) East and 28.2 (Degrees) East. Professional services such as Direct-to cable (DTC), Satellite Newsgathering (SNG) and Occasional Use are offered from the orbital positions of 23.5 (Degrees) East and 5.2 (Degrees) East.

SES ASTRA is an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt stock exchanges: SESG). SES GLOBAL wholly owns two market-leading satellite operators, SES ASTRA in Europe, and SES AMERICOM in the US. The Company also holds strategic participations in AsiaSat in Asia, Star One and Nahuelsat in Latin America, and NSAB in Europe. Via its WORLDSAT subsidiary it provides unparalleled connections to the premier regional satellite fleets of these SES GLOBAL partners. Americom Government Services provides network solutions and bandwidth to the US government and its contractors. SES GLOBAL can provide outstanding satellite communications solutions via a fleet of 40 satellites across the globe. In addition, SES GLOBAL is a shareholder in ORBCOMM, a provider of wireless data communications services through a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite network, and in satellite technology companies Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. and ND Satcom. SES GLOBAL is also a founding shareholder in SATLYNX, a Luxembourg-based joint venture with Gilat and Alcatel Space, which has created an unrivalled portfolio of reliable and cost-efficient two-way satellite broadband service solutions to enterprises/corporates, small office/home office (SOHO) users and local communities all over Europe. Additional info on SES GLOBAL at: www.ses-global.com.