Satellite System. The HD programme will be broadcast from ASTRA’s prime orbital position 19.2 degrees East and offer high quality content from ARTE in superior picture quality.

ARTE will use existing and earlier contracted digital capacity from ASTRA. The French language version of Arte HD will be available at a later date.

With this HD broadcast, the number of HD channels distributed on the ASTRA Satellite System increases to 35. ASTRA therefore reinforces its position as the largest HD platform in Europe.

"The launch of ARTE HD confirms once again that HD broadcasting is gaining momentum”, said Alexander Oudendijk, Chief Commercial Officer of SES ASTRA. “We are very satisfied that with ARTE HD, another high quality broadcast will be available in High Definition and further increase the attractiveness of the HD offer on ASTRA.”