SES Astra, a SES Global company and a provider of direct-to-home services, signed a transponder contract with the broadcast division of ntl that gives ntl more capacity in the U.K. for small channel launches. Terms of the deal have ntl offering “studio and playout” capabilities in its media center in Feltham, and it looks like the company wants to sign new broadcasters and startup companies as clients. Says Steve Holebrook, ntl’s media-solutions director, “We can now provide a complete package for satellite broadcasters, and we already have a number of channels lined up to go on.” No financial details were disclosed.