Satellite compiles biggest Baltic TV package
2 Mar, 2006
The satellite operator SES Sirius has signed a long-standing agreement with the satellite TV company Viasat on the launch of a substantial TV and radio package for the Baltic countries. The major national channels, Viasat’s own channels, along with several foreign premium channels offering sports, news, films, entertainment and children's programmes, are now available on one Viasat card.
A major new frame agreement covering the entire Baltic region has been signed between SES Sirius and the satellite TV company Viasat. The agreement is for several years and covers a wide range of channels. According to Helen Stepanova, who is responsible for Sirius' Baltic operations from the regional office in Riga, this must be a dream package for viewers.
“It features the major national channels from the three countries, plus many foreign premium channels, in a single package. Viewers in the respective countries get a complete programme package with around 40 channels that should cater for all tastes.” She continues:
“Apart from TV channels in the languages of the respective countries, the package includes local programmes for Russian speakers in the Baltic region, plus other Russian channels featuring general content, sports, music, films, etc. I'd also like to emphasise that sports and children's channels have been given a high profile. All channels in the package have subtitles in the respective languages or have been dubbed.”
Rapid increase in households with satellite dishes
Stepanova believes that the Baltic market is moving in the same direction as the Nordic region, with a very large number of viewers who make their own choice of national and international TV programmes via their satellite dish.
“The cooperation agreement is the result of a very positive reception from viewers to Sirius and Viasat's long-term investment in the Baltic countries. We had already experienced an upswing in the number of satellite TV subscribers last year, and we believe there will be an even more rapid increase over the next few years.” Finally, Stepanova explains Sirius' leading role.
“We have been the leading satellite network in the Baltic countries for some time now, and Viasat is the biggest programme company. With the new cooperation agreement we are making it clear that our aim is to be the national satellite system of the Baltic countries. This is our domestic market, and Sirius has become an important part of the Baltic countries' infrastructure.
About SES Sirius AB
SES Sirius AB is 25% owned by the Swedish Space Corporation and 75% by SES ASTRA, Europe’s leading satellite operator. SES Sirius owns and operates the satellites in the SIRIUS system (SIRIUS 2 and 3). SIRIUS offers cost-effective solutions for TV and radio broadcasting and broadband services in the Nordic, Baltic, Central and Eastern European regions. The SIRIUS satellites are located at orbital positions 5˚ East and offer reliable communication links across Europe. SIRIUS will be launching a new communications satellite, SIRIUS 4, in 2007.
For more information please visit: www.ses-sirius.com
For further information, please contact:
Helen Stepanova, General Manager,
Sales & Administration
SIA “SIRIUS Satellite Services Latvija”
Tel +371 720 09 47
helen.stepanova@ses-sirius.lv
www.ses-sirius.com
