[Satellite Today – 4-17-08] The first high-definition (HD) public broadcast channel to German speaking countries, ORF HD, will launch in early May, SES Astra confirmed April 17. After the launch of ORF HD, the combined satellite systems of SES Astra and SES Sirius will transmit 31 HD channels.
    The agreement with ORF allows the use of additional capacity for the HD channel. In cooperation with the ORF service company ORS, it includes the possibility for further HD programs with which this new capacity will ramp up to a full transponder in January 2010. As part of the agreement, SES Astra and ORF will also cooperate to promote the new HD offer. The cooperation foresees joint commercial and marketing activities for retailers and will start this month.