Lifestyle Media Innovator Taps SES AMERICOM’s Trusted High-Def Distribution Platform; HGTV-HD to Be Unveiled at the National Cable Show
Ready to dish up meals and home design tips and trends in mouth-watering, eye-popping clarity, SES AMERICOM, an SES GLOBAL company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges:SESG), today announced Scripps Networks is launching its new HGTV-HD and Food Network-HD channels aboard SES AMERICOM’s HD-PRIME™ cable neighborhood and AMC-10 satellite.
Scripps will unveil the new HGTV-HD channel at the National Cable Show on April 10 in Atlanta, while the official launch of Food Network-HD is slated for early July. The HD delivery of both flagship networks marks the latest milestone in a new strategic relationship between SES AMERICOM and Scripps, which moved all of its networks, including HGTV, Food Network, FINE LIVING TV NETWORK, DIY Network, and Great American Country (GAC), to the pair of HD-PRIME satellites (AMC-10 and AMC-11) last year. HGTV-HD and Food Network-HD will feature shows from sister channels, such as FINE LIVING and DIY, providing Scripps Networks’ viewers with great exposure to new programming and the high-def experience.
“As Scripps Networks moves strategically into HD, it’s comforting to know that we’re with the industry’s best, most reliable distribution platform, SES AMERICOM and HD-PRIME,” said Mark Hale, executive vice president of operations for Scripps Networks. “HGTV-HD and Food Network-HD represent exciting opportunities to offer up shows that our viewers know and love and to introduce new audiences to a broad range of Scripps programming and channels – all in high definition TV.”
“Scripps Networks produces some of the most popular shows on television, which promise to only grow in demand with passionate audiences as lifestyle programming favorites hit TV screens across the country in high-def,” said Bryan McGuirk, president of media solutions for SES AMERICOM. “SES AMERICOM is honored to be Scripps Networks’ program distribution platform of choice, as we provide the reach and reliability synonymous with our HD-PRIME neighborhood and overall satellite fleet to enable HGTV-HD and Food Network-HD to entertain and inform audiences in unparalleled quality and clarity.”
The HD-PRIME™ 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 protect the cable programming services.
About SES AMERICOM
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES AMERICOM is recognized as a pioneer of global satellite communications services. Celebrating the 30th anniversary of the launch of its first satellite, the company today operates a fleet of 18 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 of the world via a fleet of 40 satellites. In addition, AMERICOM Government Services, a wholly owned subsidiary, is dedicated to providing satellite-based communications solutions to both civilian and defense agencies of the U.S. government. 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.
