Country Network debuts in UHD with SES
December 12, 2017
By Chris Forrester
SES has announced The Country Network (TCN) has debuted its first shows in Ultra HD in the US this week and become the eleventh 4K channel on SES’s all-in-one Ultra HD solution. The unique Ultra HD platform packages satellite distribution, reception gear, and the world’s largest 4K channel line-up for cable and IPTV operators of all sizes across North America.
First launched in 2009, The Country Network is currently enjoyed by country music fans in 15 million US households and will leverage SES’s ubiquitous coverage to dramatically increase viewership. The trio of satellites delivering SES’s Ultra HD solution form North America’s leading content distribution platform, reaching all 100 million-plus US cable television homes.
The Country Network joins an expanding bouquet of immersive 4K channels on the SES platform, which include NASA TV UHD, Fashion One 4K, C4K360, the SES demo channel, UHD1, 4KUNIVERSE, Funbox UHD, Nature Relaxation 4K, Travelxp 4K, and Insight TV.
“SES offers a powerful and unique combination of global video distribution leadership, unrivalled relationships with the largest cable operators and entertainment companies, and the first commercial Ultra HD platform,” said Tim Eaton, President and CEO of The Country Network. “The SES Ultra HD solution will enable The Country Network to greatly accelerate our 2018 growth strategy, which is all about introducing our new 4K channel to the most influential media companies, large and small, and expanding to multiple platforms,” Eaton added. “SES is really the only game in town when it comes to delivering on our lofty goals as a budding Ultra HD network.”
“The SES Ultra HD platform has become the destination of choice for new 4K channels like The Country Network, a mainstream music channel that reflects just how SES continues to gain traction in driving Ultra HD,” explained Steve Corda, VP of Business Development in North America for SES. “The Country Network is a great complement to our growing line-up, which has fast become the largest single source of 4K content in the world.”
Meanwhile, Travelxp 4K, accurately described as the world’s first High Dynamic Range travel channel, has been added for German viewers to the SES’ HD+ bundle, and played out by MX1. The channel goes ‘live’ on December 13th.