SES Astra has signed a long-term satellite capacity agreement with Discovery Communications to broadcast XXP, a German-based mainstream entertainment channel.

XXP has been using analogue capacity from Astra on the prime orbital position 19.2 degrees East since May 2001, and the channel has extended its analog transmissions from four to 24 hours per day.

Discovery bought a controlling stake in XXP, which also is distributed in digital on Astra, earlier this year.