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Prime-Time for Cable: SES AMERICOM Initiates Service on AMC-11,Completes First Two-Satellite HD Neighborhood with HD-PRIMETM Leading Programmers Leveraging Advanced, Two-Spacecraft Platform to Reach Over 80 Million Homes with Standard and High-Definition Channels With service turned up early Thursday morning aboard AMC-11 in its orbital position 22,000 miles above North America, cable programmers are now in a better position than ever before to meet growing consumer demand for high-definition television (HDTV) entertainment. SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris, Luxembourg and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges: SESG), today announced initiation of service aboard the A2100 Lockheed Martin spacecraft began at 4:00 a.m. Eastern yesterday, completing HD-PRIMETM, America’s only two-satellite HD cable neighborhood that reaches over 80 million homes. Leading programmers began distribution aboard HD-PRIME in May, when AMC-11’s identical twin satellite, AMC-10, kicked off service for the first time. As of the wee hours of Thursday morning, both advanced, HD-PRIME satellites are providing reach to every cable household in the U.S. "The cable industry woke up Thursday morning to a whole new era of HD distribution, aboard a first-of-its-kind HD-optimized cable neighborhood that offers the most robust, reliable platform with the broadest reach available today," said Bryan McGuirk, senior vice president, AMERICOM Media Services, SES AMERICOM. "HD-PRIME is the only cable neighborhood that puts programmers and producers right where they want to be; in the living room of every cable subscriber in the country with the HD entertainment they want to see." Capacity is still available for additional residents, despite a growing list of leading programmers already distributing dozens of standard and high-definition channels aboard HD-PRIME, including Discovery Communications, Viacom, E! Networks, A&E Television Networks, C-SPAN, Court TV, Hallmark Channel, iN DEMAND, Lifetime Entertainment, NBC, QVC, Scripps Networks, and The Weather Channel. The HD-PRIMETM Satellites AMC-10 and AMC-11 are all C-band satellites, which operate from 135 and 131 degrees west longitude, respectively. The two A2100 spacecraft, built by Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems, have been optimized for next-generation programming services, including high-definition channels. Each of the 24 transponders is supported by a 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 satellite, AMC-7, currently operating at 137 degrees west longitude, protect the cable programming services. 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, 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.
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