GlobeCast expands African reach with SES

Broadcast services provider GlobeCast has contracted a transponder on SES’s SES-4 satellite as well as an additional transponder on ASTRA-4A to launch two new satellite broadcast platforms serving the sub-Saharan African region. 

Including this new capacity, GlobeCast is now using three SES transponders for direct to home services in the African market.

ASTRA-4A provides extensive coverage of sub-Saharan Africa from the 5° East orbital position. GlobeCast has filled its first transponder on the satellite and is now acquiring an additional transponder to meet increasing demand to serve the sub-Saharan market.

SES-4 will be launched in the fourth quarter of this year from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The satellite will be positioned at 338° East and will provide enhanced coverage and capacity across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, western Africa and Latin America.

Philippe Rouxel, chief marketing officer of GlobeCast said: “On ASTRA-4A, GlobeCast has already seen successful uptake of the platform, with a range of African and international free-to-air channels already filling the first transponder. Globecast has now contracted additional capacity from SES to respond to the growing demand of its broadcast clients for capacity in the region. With its new platform on SES-4, GlobeCast will offer comprehensive coverage of Western Africa and be able to accommodate the growing demand coming from that region.”