BBC World News/SES extend HD deal

TV viewers in Western Europe will continue to.be able to watch BBC World News following the signing of an extended agreement with SES.

The HD channel has been available FTA on Astra at 19.2 degrees East since 2015. Commenting on the agreement, Chris Davies, EVP marketing and distribution for BBC Global News, said: “This deal with SES is really important as it allows us to reliably reach widespread audiences across Western Europe. Amidst one of the biggest news stories of this generation, we’re seeing unprecedented demand for quality journalism. Since the beginning of the year, we’ve taken BBC World News from being available in 465 million homes worldwide to over half a billion homes, to provide a growing audience with trusted, accurate and impartial news”.

Ferdinand Kayser, CEO at SES Video, added: “Since the COVID-19 health crisis started, we have heard from our customers that demand for linear TV, especially news programmes, is on the rise and that reliable news producers such as the BBC are now more critical in providing accurate news and information to millions of viewers.

“We’re pleased to continue working with the BBC and to help bring high-quality HD news to 88 million European households at a time when they need it most”.

—Broadband TV News