USAGM enlists SES Space and Defense for advanced global satellite Broadcasting

USAGM enlists SES Space and Defense for advanced global satellite Broadcasting
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Dec 13, 2023

SES Space and Defense, a prominent player in the realm of satellite communications, has recently been awarded a pivotal contract to support the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM). This five-year agreement, facilitated through the General Services Administration's (GSA) Complex Commercial SATCOM Solutions (CS3) contract vehicle, positions SES Space and Defense at the forefront of advancing global media broadcasting.

Under this new contract, SES Space and Defense is tasked with providing satellite broadcast distribution services to aid USAGM's Global Network Division (GN). This initiative is significant in scale, encompassing the distribution of a staggering 4,000 hours of original programming weekly. The audience reach is equally impressive, extending to over 215 million individuals across 100 countries, reflecting the global influence and reach of USAGM's broadcasting efforts.

The collaboration draws upon SES's extensive expertise in broadcast services, integrating the strengths of trusted industry partners to manage both satellite and terrestrial content delivery. This comprehensive support framework is crucial for the USAGM GN division, ensuring efficient and widespread distribution of content, including audio and video programming.

SES Space and Defense's role extends to offering a complete suite of managed solutions. These include Broadcast Multiplex (MUX), transponder capacity, teleport services, internet connectivity, terrestrial backbone delivery network, as well as continuous 24+ 7+ 365 monitoring and operational support. These services are not only aligned with current industry standards and best practices but also offer the flexibility to adapt to future technological advancements and programming needs.

The entities benefiting from this service enhancement include Voice of America (VOA), Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty (RFE/RL), Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), Radio Free Asia (RFA), and the Middle East Broadcasting Network (MBN). SES Space and Defense's support is integral in distributing both High Definition (HD) and Standard Definition (SD) video, as well as radio content, across the globe.

David Fields, President and CEO of SES Space and Defense, expressed his commitment to this endeavor. "We are committed to delivering best-in-class, guaranteed satellite communication capabilities to USAGM and honored to support the global distribution of video and audio programming to over two hundred million viewers across one hundred countries," he stated. He further emphasized the importance of leveraging their comprehensive suite of integrated solutions to meet USAGM's mission with excellence, both now and in the future.