SES Global will broadcast five digital TV channels provided by Polish public broadcaster TVP (Telewizja Polska SA), SES announced Sept. 22.

TVP is one of the biggest public television broadcasters in Central and Eastern Europe with 52 percent of the audience in Poland. Under the long-term contract, TVP1, TVP2, TVP3 Regionalna, TVP Kultura and TV Polonia will be broadcast via Astra 19.2 degrees East beginning Oct. 1.

“The progress of digital TV will allow us to overcome the capacity restrictions of terrestrial TV and significantly enhance our offer to viewers,” Piotr Gawel, TVP’s vice president of marketing and sales, said in a statement. “It will allow us to enter exciting new fields like thematic channels and interactive services.”

TVP plans to add additional channels beginning in 2006.