Scripps Networks moves North American distribution to SES


Details

Michelle Clancy

| 29 October 2015





Lifestyle content producer Scripps Networks Interactive has signed a strategic agreement to expand and migrate its North American distribution platform to a pair of SES satellites at the centre of the North American orbital arc.


SES's optimised cable distribution neighbourhood – built on three satellites (SES-1 at 101° degrees West, SES-3 at 103° degrees West, and AMC-18 at 105° degrees West ) has been located to serve the North American market with HD, SD and Ultra HD. The platform reaches more than 100 million US television homes through virtually every cable TV, IPTV and direct-to-home provider across the region.

Scripps is utilising a full transponder of C-band capacity on SES-1 to deliver HD content, including the HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network and Travel Channel networks, while another C-band transponder aboard SES-3 is facilitating the distribution of standard definition (SD) feeds.

"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," noted Mark Hale, EVP of global operations and CTO for Scripps. "This new heart of the orbital arc platform location is an essential part of our distribution strategy going forward."

Elias Zaccack, SVP of commercial Americas for SES, added: "This important agreement opens a new chapter in a long-standing 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. 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."