Photo: SES

[Via Satellite -7-14-2016] Japan International Broadcasting (JIB), the official distributor of NHK World TV for Japanese public broadcaster NHK, has signed a long-term agreement with SES to broadcast the 24/7 English-language news and information channel Free-to-Air (FTA) in High Definition (HD) across Europe. The transmission of NHK World TV in HD has already started via Astra 1KR at 19.2 degrees East, and the SD channel is currently simulcast to allow for a smooth transition from SD to HD quality.

According to SES, the number of HDTV homes in Europe has tripled over the past five years, with 78 percent of European satellite HDTV homes receiving their TV channels from SES. In Europe, the number of HDTV channels SES broadcasts has grown by more than 30 percent over the last three years to nearly 700 channels.