Bobbles Contract SES Capacity and MX1 Services to Launch New Global TV Platform for Expats in Europe

SES has contracted SES capacity and MX1 services to launch a new global TV platform for expats in Europe.

Expats can choose to subscribe to direct-to-home (DTH), over-the-top (OTT), or both packages. The entertainment service will offer linear content via DTH broadcasting and/or the option for users to watch content at their own time using time-shifting and catch-up features via an OTT platform.

Under the agreement, bobbles.tv will contract SES and MX1 to provide DTH and OTT back-end services, as well as distribution services via satellites and content delivery networks. MX1 is SES’s newly-created media services company that transforms content into the ultimate viewer experience for a global audience, by providing a full range of content management, delivery and value-added digital media services.

bobbles.tv will start by launching two content packages -- Chinese and Indonesian -- via ASTRA 19.2 degrees East, and expects to launch more Asian packages during the second half of 2016.

“We are delighted to be working with a global player like SES. Not only will SES's prime orbital position of 19.2 degrees East and MX1's reliable and high-quality services enable bobbles to reach the 14 million non-European expats and communities living in Europe, but also a continued relationship will allow us to expand our reach globally,” said Arnold C Kulbatzki, Chief Executive Officer of Bobbles.

“Through our global fleet of over 50 satellites, we can support bobbles.tv’s plan to connect expats around the world via entertainment. Today, many expats have to resort to watching poor quality video content on the Internet. With SES’s extensive technical reach, this new TV service will allow more expats to watch better quality picture content anytime they want,” said Ferdinand Kayser, Chief Commercial Officer at SES.