NSE New Skies Satellite Hlds Ltd

New Skies Satellites B.V. (NYSE:NSE): SSVC Increases Capacity on New Skies' Fleet by More Than 400 Percent to Expand Distribution of the British Forces Broadcasting Service to Several Military Bases and Nearly 65 Vessels New Skies Satellites B.V., the global satellite communications company, today announced an expanded, multi-satellite agreement with The Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC), a registered charity set up to entertain and inform Britain's Armed Forces around the world, for the creation of a new multi-channel television service designed for Naval vessels at sea. The new service will provide the opportunity for Royal Navy servicemen and women to view higher quality multi-channel television while at sea, including 24-hour news. The high-quality, digital transmissions will be a significant upgrade from the current, single-channel television service that has been provided on some navy ships. Helen Williams, BFBS's Controller of Television, said: "With the powerful and comprehensive coverage offered by New Skies' satellite network, we are able to provide the Royal Navy with a live service of BFBS Television that ensures that the men and women serving far from home have access to their favourite news and entertainment programming." Nigel Gibson, New Skies' vice president of sales for Europe, said: "At the core of our commercial philosophy is the commitment to meet any customer requirement. When SSVC won a new contract with the Royal Navy to provide a unique multi-channel TV service to dozens of vessels, we quickly put together a plan that met their existing obligations as well as their complex expansion needs in the most efficient, economical and reliable configuration. This achievement, as well as our ongoing relationship with SSVC and our involvement with the distribution of BFBS TV, is a source of pride for everyone at New Skies." To provide the service, SSVC will use capacity on New Skies' NSS-806 and NSS-703 satellites, delivering a package of digital television channels to nearly 65 vessels patrolling the waters of North, South and Central America, as well as Antarctica, Africa and the Mediterranean. This latest agreement significantly expands upon an earlier deal announced in September 2003, in which SSVC selected New Skies' NSS-7 satellite to deliver BFBS Radio and TV to British military bases throughout the Atlantic Ocean region. These include facilities in The Falkland Islands and Ascension Island in the South Atlantic Ocean, and Belize in Central America. SSVC will continue these transmissions on the NSS-806 and 703 satellites under the terms of the new agreement. Specifically, NSS-806 and NSS-703 carry BFBS TV 1 and 2 and BFBS Radio 1 and 2, with NSS-806 also carrying Sky News. The signals are uplinked from New Skies' partner mediaport in the United Kingdom. About SSVC -- BFBS TV is part of UK Forces charity the Services Sound and Vision Corporation (SSVC), providing TV, Radio, Cinemas, SSVC audio-visual shops and CSE live entertainment to British troops throughout the world - www.ssvc.com -- British Forces Broadcasting Services Television (BFBS TV) began transmitting in 1975 when all programs were taped in London and broadcast from a caravan in Germany -- BFBS TV now produces and broadcasts three tailor-made 24-hour channels via satellite to 17 countries and HM Ships, all transmitted via satellite from our broadcast center in Buckinghamshire - BFBS1, BFBS2, and the BFBS Navy channel. -- BFBS TV is considered one of the most important arms of the MOD's welfare services for its soldiers, sailors and airmen and women and their dependants serving abroad. About New Skies Satellites New Skies Satellites is one of only four fixed satellite communications companies with global satellite coverage, offering data, video, Internet and voice communications services to a range of telecommunications carriers, broadcasters, large corporations, Internet service providers and government entities around the world. New Skies has five satellites in orbit, one spacecraft under construction (NSS-8) and ground facilities around the world. New Skies Satellites Holdings Ltd. is headquartered in Hamilton, Bermuda and has subsidiaries with offices in The Hague, Hong Kong, New Delhi, Sao Paulo, Singapore, Sydney and Washington, D.C.