"AMC-10 will be delivering some of America's leading cable programs. Reaching almost every television household with all sorts of entertainment, information, and event programming, including high-definition services from Discovery and Showtime," said Dean Olmstead, President and CEO of SES Americom. "This evening's launch was picture-perfect and we look forward to bringing AMC-10 into service in the second quarter."

AMC-10, an all C-band satellite, will operate from 135 degrees W.L., replacing the Satcom C-4 spacecraft. The just-launched AMC-10 is the first of two state-of-the-art satellites that make up SES Americom's HD PRIME neighborhood. The second satellite, AMC-11, is scheduled for launch in May and will reside at 131 degrees W.L., replacing Satcom C-3.

The two A2100 spacecraft have been optimized for next generation programming services, including high definition channels. Each of the 24 transponders is supported by at least one 20 watt SSPA, delivering an almost 20% increase in power over their predecessors.

In addition, higher level of on-board redundancy plus an in-orbit protection satellite, AMC-7 currently operating at 137 degrees W.L., will protect the cable programming services.

Cable programmers can use AMC-10 and its HD PRIME partner satellite, AMC-11, to reach over 80 million homes. A diverse mix of programming producers are already scheduled to use the new satellites, including Viacom, A&E Television Networks, C-SPAN, Court TV, Crown Media, Discovery Communications, E! Networks, iN DEMAND, Lifetime Entertainment, NBC, QVC, Scripps Networks, and The Weather Channel. AMC-10 is scheduled for full service operation by early May.

Ted Gavrilis, president, Lockheed Martin Commercial Space Systems (LMCSS) said, "We have developed long-term business relationship with Americom over the last 25 years based on trust and mutual respect."

He continued, "AMC-10 is the ninth A2100 we have built for Americom; we are proud to have been entrusted with providing this important satellite for Americom's HD PRIME neighborhood for the distribution of their customers' programming like Viacom's popular Showtime and MTV channels, The Weather Channel, and Discovery's HD Theater."

Mark Albrecht, ILS President, said "AMC-10 is the sixth satellite ILS has launched for SES Americom, and we are looking forward to delivering three more launches for them later this year. One more Atlas launch from the Cape in May and two Proton launches from the Baikonur Cosmodrome this summer."

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