SES World Skies Company History and Timeline

SES World Skies was founded in 1990 by a group of entrepreneurs who saw an opportunity to provide satellite-based telecommunications services to the world.

The company's early focus was on providing fixed satellite services to the telecommunications industry.

SES World Skies' first satellite, the Astra 1A, was launched in 1988, but it wasn't until 1990 that the company was officially established.

In the early days, SES World Skies faced stiff competition from other satellite companies, but its commitment to innovation and customer service helped it stand out in the market.

By the mid-1990s, SES World Skies had established itself as a major player in the satellite industry, with a fleet of satellites providing services to customers around the world.

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SES World Skies has a rich history of innovation and growth. In 2003, they formed a strategic partnership with EchoStar, granting long-term satellite capacity to DISH Network.

This partnership marked a significant milestone for SES, linking North America's leading satellite operator with the US' largest DTH network. SES was marketed under the brand name 'Astra' – a nod to their first satellite.

SES continued to push boundaries in 2014, broadcasting the first-ever Ultra HD live concert to TV screens globally. The concert, featuring rock band Linkin Park, was transmitted exclusively via the Astra Ultra HD demo channel.

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In 1995, SES was a major player in the satellite broadcasting industry, and its pioneering use of digital broadcasting technology was a game-changer.

Canal+ was one of the channel providers that benefited from SES' digital technology, which allowed for improved signal and picture quality.

Digitalisation was a huge leap forward, enabling signals to be compressed so that many more channels could be transmitted via one transponder.

This marked the beginning of the channel explosion, paving the way for high-definition TV.

The DTH revolution had arrived, and Astra was at the forefront, adding new satellites to its primary orbital position to meet the growing demand for more channels and content.

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In 2003, SES Americom forged a multi-year strategic partnership with EchoStar, granting long-term satellite capacity to DISH Network. This partnership linked the leading satellite operator with the US' largest DTH network.

SES Astra announced the launch of its first ever HD channel, which would reach thousands of Europeans the following year.

Astra 1H was launched, making SES one of the first satellite operators to offer commercial Ka-band capacity.

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In 2013, O3b Networks launched its highly-anticipated first batch of four Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites, offering data services to companies all over the world.

This was a significant milestone for the company, marking a major step forward in the development of satellite-based data services.

SES reached more than 276 million TV households worldwide in 2013.

This achievement highlights the growing importance of satellite reception in today's multi-screen environment.

The launch of the new IP-LNB was a major highlight of 2013, allowing for the delivery of eight concurrent channels from any of the transponders of a satellite orbital position.

This innovative technology demonstrated the company's commitment to staying at the forefront of satellite technology.

By the close of the year, SES had finalised a complex split-off transaction with General Electric (GE), buying out GE's 19.5% stake in the company.

This deal allowed SES to optimise its portfolio of assets and move forward with its strategic plans.

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In 2014, we made history by broadcasting the first-ever Ultra HD live concert to TV screens around the globe.

The concert featured rock band Linkin Park and was transmitted exclusively via the Astra Ultra HD demo channel, showcasing its magnificent picture quality and extravagant light shows.

We also invested USD 75 million in satellite broadband start-up O3b Networks, a significant move that marked our commitment to innovation and expansion.

The NSS-12 satellite was launched on an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.

The launch occurred on July 4, 2010, at 22:15 UTC.

The Ariane 5 rocket successfully placed the NSS-12 satellite into geostationary transfer orbit.

SES World Skies was formed in 2009 through the merger of SES New Skies and SES Americom. This marked a significant milestone in the company's history.

The SES Americom unit has its roots back to RCA Americom, which was formed in 1975. RCA Americom launched the Satcom series of satellites, instrumental in helping early American cable TV channels gain traction.

In 1986, General Electric acquired RCA and renamed the Americom unit to GE Americom. GE sold its GE Americom unit to SES for US$5 billion in cash and stock in 2001.

SES World Skies was merged into SES in 2011 to streamline operations under a single management system.

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In 2007, we diversified our commercial offering and introduced a ‘triple play’ service called ASTRA2Connect, which allowed users to watch TV, stream content on their laptop or mobile, and make household phone calls all at once.

In 2009, SES New Skies and SES Americom merged to form SES World Skies. This merger marked a significant change in the company's structure.

The combined entity, SES World Skies, was formed in 2009. This move allowed the company to streamline its operations and better serve its customers.

SES World Skies was a short-lived entity, as it was merged with SES Astra in 2011. This merger brought all of SES's operations under a single management system.

The result of this merger was the creation of a single, unified company. This change allowed SES to operate more efficiently and effectively.

Here's a brief overview of the mergers that have shaped SES:

SES World Skies is a global leader in providing efficient communications and content distribution solutions. They serve a wide range of customers, including broadcasters, cable programmers, telecommunications companies, and governments.

The division operates a fleet of 25 satellites in key orbital positions, capable of providing coverage and service throughout the Americas and around the world. This extensive network allows SES World Skies to reach a global audience.

SES World Skies is also a major innovator of advanced satellite communications services. They have a strong presence in the industry, with a reputation for delivering reliable and efficient solutions.

The company has offices in several key locations, including Princeton, The Hague, Washington, D.C., Johannesburg, Sao Paulo, Singapore, and Sydney. This global reach enables SES World Skies to provide local support and services to their customers.

SES World Skies is continually expanding its capabilities, with six spacecraft under construction and a network of global ground facilities. This investment in infrastructure ensures that the company can meet the growing demands of their customers.

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SES World Skies has consistently demonstrated a strong link between ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance and financial performance.

The company's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint has led to significant cost savings, with energy-efficient operations resulting in a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

SES World Skies' focus on social responsibility has also led to improved relationships with stakeholders, including employees and customers.

By prioritizing governance and transparency, SES World Skies has been able to maintain a strong reputation and attract top talent.

The company's ESG efforts have not only improved its bottom line but also enhanced its brand value, making it an attractive partner for investors and customers alike.