Satnews Daily
December 23rd, 2016

An Ongoing Discovery For SES' MX1 Platform


MX1, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SES S.A. (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), and ASTRA, the largest European 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 innovative 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.

Christoph Mühleib, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing SES and responsible for MX1 and ASTRA in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, commented that Discovery can count on the parallel broadcasting of their channels in SD and HD at least until 2021, and thereby optimize its technical reach in the German market.

Omar Asmar, Director Media Operations at Discovery Networks Deutschland, added that, on the one hand, his company relies on optimized workflow, and on the other, they want to reach as large an audience as possible with their content. Thus, MX1 and ASTRA are ideal partners. The service platform MX1 360 is seamlessly integrated into Discovery Network processes and systems, so the firm has complete control over all stages of broadcasting preparation, including monitoring of the content to enhance the protection of young viewers. Furthermore, the broadcasting via the ASTRA satellite at 19.2 degrees East in SD and HD provides maximum reach for their channels.

mx1.com/