SES: MX1 and ASTRA continue to provide Discovery with services and reach

MX1, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES and a global media service provider, and ASTRA, the largest European Direct-to-Home (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 media service platform ‘MX1 360’ for content management and playout. The MX1 360 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, optimize its technical reach in the German market.”

Omar Asmar, Director Media Operations at Discovery Networks Deutschland, said “on the one hand, we rely on optimised workflow, and on the other, we want to reach as large an audience as possible with our content. Thus, MX1 and ASTRA are, very clearly, our ideal partners. The service platform MX1 360 is seamlessly integrated into our processes and systems, so that we can have complete control over all stages of broadcasting preparation including monitoring content to enhance the protection of youth. Furthermore, the broadcasting via the ASTRA satellite at 19.2 degrees East in SD and HD provides maximum reach for our channels. We are looking forward to a continuing successful collaboration in the coming years.”