BBC Secures Additional Capacity with SES for Summer Line-up

View of multiple courts from Wimbledon 2013. Photo: Thomas Lovelock/AELTC

[Via Satellite 06-20-2014] The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) contracted additional capacity on SES’ Astra satellite at 28.2 degrees east for the duration between the 2014 Wimbledon Tennis Championships and Glastonbury Festival, beginning in late June, and the 2014 Commonwealth Games, ending Aug. 3, 2014. This capacity will be used to broadcast High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video streams for BBC viewers over satellite and cable in the United Kingdom.

The simultaneous live feed of these events will allow for greater flexibility, as customers will be able to watch the Wimbledon match of their choice, different sound stages at the Glastonbury Festival and a range of locations hosting the Commonwealth Games.

“Feedback from viewers after the 2012 Olympic Games [in London] showed overwhelmingly that the provision of more choice[s] of live events made the Games even more popular and enjoyable,” said Garazi Goia, acting director of BBC distribution. “We are pleased to be able to expand our coverage again for the major sporting and music events taking place this summer.”