[Satellite TODAY 03-24-11] SES Astra has extended its technical reach across Europe to serve 135 million TV homes in Europe and North Africa – more than half of all TV households in the regions – via its satellite fleet, the operator announced in its Satellite Monitor Annual Market Research Study, issued March 23.
    According to the study, SES Astra now serves 16 million out of 20 million HD TV homes receiving HD directly from satellite, with satellites carrying more than 200 HD channels from all leading broadcasters. SES Astra singled out its HD Plus platform in Germany for contributing growth. The study showed HD Plus delivered more than 1.5 million smart cards to receiver manufacturers that have brought more than 50 different HD Plus receiver models on the market.
    "In total, satellite is the largest digital mass infrastructure, with a digitalization rate of 95 percent, serving 75 million digital homes. This compares to 29 million digital cable homes equaling a cable digitalization rate of 42 percent. Almost every second digital TV home is therefore served by satellite today. Comprising analogue and digital reception, satellite increased its lead over cable networks, reaching 79 million homes, compared to 71 million for cable," the SES study said.