Ion Media Extends Distribution Deal with SES Americom
PRINCETON, NJ, June 27, 2007 - Satnews Daily - SES Americom, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges:SESG), said that Ion Media Networks (AMEX:ION) has extended its distribution agreement, firmly positioning the largest television station group in the U.S. for further growth in the cable and broadcast markets.
The programming distribution agreement extension between SES Americom and Ion Media is scheduled to run through the life of the AMC-1 satellite, which was launched in 1996. The hybrid C- and Ku-band spacecraft is located at 103 degrees West, where it is home to national television networks broadcasting to thousands of cable headends that reach tens of millions of homes throughout the country.
"Ion Media Networks first signed on the AMC-1 satellite in 1998, and we quickly found SES Americom to be the most reliable satellite provider in the industry," said Mark Greenlee, vice president of operations for Ion Media Networks. " Ion Media Networks has grown its penetration levels across cable, broadcast and DTH markets and added new programs and capabilities during our relationship with SES Americom. This new agreement provides Ion Media with the flexibility we need to continue building our business with new programs and formats across multiple platforms."
The largest supplier of satellite services in the U.S., SES Americom today operates a fleet of 15 spacecraft in orbital positions predominantly providing service throughout the Americas. As a member of the SES family, SES Americom is able to provide end-to-end telecommunications solutions to any region of the world via a fleet of more than 36 satellites.
"SES Americom and Ion Media Networks have grown together over the past nine-plus years. We look forward to delivering Ion's popular programming across expanding and emerging platforms to growing audiences over the next decade and beyond," said Steve Bunke, vice president of media sales for SES Americom.
Ion Media owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television station group and Ion Television, reaching over 90 million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems.
