[SatBroadcasting(tm)]... SES ASTRA, an SES company (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG), has won CME as anchor customer for its 31.5 degrees East orbital position (ASTRA 1G + ASTRA 2C).

CME is a leading vertically integrated media and entertainment company operating broadcasting, internet and TV content businesses in six Central and Eastern European countries with an aggregate population of approximately 50 million people. CME’s television programmes in Romania and Bulgaria include PRO TV, PRO TV International, Acasa, PRO Cinema, Sport.ro and MTV Romania and bTV, bTV Cinema, bTV Comedy, Pro.bg and Ring.bg in Bulgaria.

CME has contracted one transponder on 31.5 degrees East on a long-term basis. It will use the capacity for video distribution to cable head-ends in Romania and Bulgaria, starting in January 2011. SES ASTRA will thereby gain access to millions of cable households in two of the biggest growth markets in Central and Eastern Europe. 31.5 degrees East is SES ASTRA’s new orbital position for Central Europe and the Middle East. It complements SES ASTRA’s very successful hotspot at the 23.5 degrees East orbital position and allows for further growth in the region.