SES satellite operator and lifestyle content producer Scripps Networks Interactive today announced a strategic agreement which will expand and migrate its North American distribution platform to a pair of SES satellites at the centre of the North American orbital arc.
The partnership with Scripps Networks Interactive follows other media and entertainment leaders already leveraging SES's optimised cable distribution neighbourhood, built on three reliable satellites and ideally located to serve the North American market.
With a full line-up of popular network brands, including HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, and Travel Channel, Scripps Networks Interactive is utilising a full transponder of C-band capacity on SES-1 to deliver HD content, while another C-band transponder aboard SES-3 is facilitating the distribution of standard definition (SD) feeds.
SES' fleet optimisation over North America is crucially based on the centre of the arc cable distribution platform. Scripps Networks Interactive constitutes one of the early movers to relocate to the platform, which enables programmers to reach more than 100 million US television homes through virtually every cable TV, IPTV and direct-to-home provider across the region.
"Scripps Networks Interactive is looking forward to being part of the SES centre of the arc satellite fleet and home to the next generation of cable distribution for North America," commented Mark Hale, Executive Vice President, Global Operations and Chief Technology Officer for Scripps Networks Interactive. "This new heart of the orbital arc platform location is an essential part of our distribution strategy going forward."
"This important agreement opens a new chapter in a longstanding partnership between Scripps Networks Interactive and SES, which is dedicated to the reliable delivery of great programming to millions of television viewers across North America," added Elias Zaccack, Senior Vice President, Commercial Americas for SES. "Leading networks and content developers such as Scripps Networks Interactive are signing on to join this new, vitally important cable distribution platform at the centre of the arc. SES has optimised this trio of spacecraft to meet the needs of cable operators, broadcasters and programmers for years to come."
