SES AMERICOM to Provide Second Transponder for Popular Programming Line-Up

May 17, 2004 – Princeton, NJ – SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: SESG), announced today that Scripps Networks has signed a second agreement for more C-band capacity to distribute an expanding line-up of popular home-focused programming on its leading cable neighborhood, HD-PRIME, America’s Cable Neighborhood.

As a result, Scripps Networks has enlisted two of America’s premier cable satellites to distribute all of its television programming on HD-PRIME, including Home & Garden Television, DIY – Do It Yourself, Food Network, Fine Living and Shop at Home Network. The latest transponder agreement taps SES AMERICOM’s recently launched AMC-10 satellite, which initiated service on May 4. In an earlier agreement, Scripps Networks contracted for services on AMC-11, which is scheduled for launch on May 19th and to begin service later in the year.

“Scripps Networks’ popular lifestyle and retail television properties are entertaining and empowering millions of people, who count on Scripps Networks every time they tune in for everything from cooking tips to home improvement,” said Carl Capista, vice president of media and entertainment services for SES AMERICOM. “We’re delighted that Scripps has reinforced its commitment to AMERICOM’s HD-PRIME neighborhood – the only satellites that reach all U.S. cable households. When combined with the programming channels of Discovery, Viacom, Court TV, C-SPAN and The Weather Channel – the Scripps’ brands make HD-PRIME the best satellite address for cable distributors nationwide.”

“With the acquisition of Shop At Home completed and the incredible popularity of HGTV, Food Network, DIY, and Fine Living, Scripps Networks rely on dependable satellite-based programming distribution services,” said Mark Hale, executive vice President, operations for Scripps Networks. “We’ve created some of the best home and lifestyle programming in the world today, and we’re counting on SES AMERICOM to deliver that great programming to growing audiences throughout the U.S.”

The HD-PRIME™ Satellites

HD-PRIME is supported by two A2100 spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, which have been optimized for next generation programming services, including high definition channels. AMC-10, which was launched in February and initiated service on May 4, is an all C-band satellite operating at 135 degrees west longitude and delivering programming for some of the cable industry’s premier programmers and producers. AMC-11 is an identical twin, which is slated for launch on May 19 and to turn up service later in the year from orbital slot 131 degrees west longitude. Each of the 24 transponders aboard each satellite is supported by at least one 20 watt SSPA, delivering almost a 20% increase in power over their predecessors, Satcom C-3 and Satcom C-4. In addition, a higher level of on-board redundancy plus an in-orbit protection satellite, AMC-7 currently operating at 137 degrees west longitude, will protect the cable programming services.

About Scripps Networks

Scripps Networks is comprised of the lifestyle television brands Home & Garden Television, Food Network, DIY–Do It Yourself Network, Fine Living, and electronic retailer Shop At Home Network. Scripps is one of the leading developers of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, where on-air programming is complemented with online content. In addition, Scripps Networks is aggressively developing its emerging media, including video on demand, broadband and Hispanic programming. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit and Atlanta, Scripps Networks is owned by the E.W. Scripps Company (NYSE:SSP), a diverse media concern with interests in newspaper publishing, broadcast television, national television networks, interactive media, and television retailing. Scripps operates 21 daily newspapers, 10 broadcast TV stations, Scripps Howard News Service and United Media.

About SES AMERICOM

The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM, Inc. is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Established in 1973 with its first satellite circuit for the U.S. Department of Defense, the company currently operates a fleet of 16 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES GLOBAL family (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: SESG), SES AMERICOM is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region in the world. In 2001, the company established AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. In 2003, SES AMERICOM formed WORLDSAT, a wholly owned subsidiary that markets capacity on four satellites covering Asia, and the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean regions, and connecting premier regional satellite fleets. With its combined operations, 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 communication and content distribution solutions. SES AMERICOM key customers include ABC Radio Networks, Antrix Corporation Ltd., AT&T Alascom, British Telecom, Connexion by Boeing, Deutsche Welle, Discovery, EchoStar, Fox, Gannett, TV Guide/Gemstar, Globecomm Systems, HBO, Hughes Network Systems, JSAT, Korea Telecom, MCI, NBC, The New York Times, NHK, PaxNet, PBS, PCCW, SCC, TELE Greenland, TV Europa, TimeWarner, Unitel Hellas, Viacom, and various agencies of the U.S. government.

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For more information, contact:
Monica Morgan, SES AMERICOM + 1-609-987-4143,

Paul Sims, Sims Communications (for SES AMERICOM) +1- 678-576-6126,