QVC signs deals to keep its shopping channels on satellite across the UK, Ireland and Germany.
- QVC will remain on the Astra 2 satellite system that carries Sky and Freesat services until 2029.
- The shopping channel provider will also remain on the Astra 1 (19.2) satellite system, with services transitioning to the new Astra 1P satellite.
QVC and satellite operator SES have confirmed a deal that will keep QVC’s channels available to satellite viewers across the British Isles and Europe.
The broadcaster had already signed a five year carriage deal with SES back in April 2022, ensuring QVC UK remained on satellite until 2027. This week’s agreement is an extension of that deal that sees QVC remain live until closer to the end of life of the current fleet of Astra 2 satellites.
The channels are currently broadcast via the Astra 2F satellite, which is due to reach end of its original 15 year mission by the end of 2027, having been launched in 2012. SES also operates Astra 2G and 2E, which have later end of life dates.
In scope for the deal are QVC HD, QVC Style HD and the SD channels QVC Beauty and QVC Extra.
Additionally, QVC will continue to carry German-language versions of QVC HD, QVC2 HD and QVC Style HD on the Astra 19.2 satellite system. Here, SES is planning to deploy a new satellite – Astra 1P – that will take over services from older satellites reaching end of life.
Through its satellites at 19.2 degrees East and 28.2/28.5 degrees East, SES reaches around 177 million TV households, representing 65% of all European TV households.
Corporate comment
Judith Haker, Director Platform Development & Distribution at QVC International commented:
“The long-standing partnership with SES gives us the opportunity to continue to inspire our viewers with interactive live programming and attractive products. Thanks to our extended agreements, we are able to address our audience’s viewing habits and demand for in-home shopping experiences by ensuring our HD and SD channels remain available on all platforms across key European markets in the long term.”
By: Marc Thornham | Image: QVC screengrab