SES Astra announced that it has signed the first capacity agreement with a customer for its African capacity Astra 4A at the orbital position 5 degrees East. The South African broadcaster ETV contracted one transponder on the beam targeting the sub-Saharan region. ETV uses the capacity for its 24-hours news channel broadcast which is carried by the South African bouquet Multichoice.

The beam with six Ku-band transponders is on board the Sirius 4 satellite and is marketed separately under the name Astra 4A. SES Astra also said it is in advanced negotiations with other parties to contract the remaining capacity on the satellite.

“This first contract with ETV and the very promising negotiations with other customers confirm our view that the African market has tremendous potential for us,” said CCO Alexander Oudendijk.