Satellite TV has long been a cornerstone of broadcasting across the UK and Europe, delivering television to millions of homes regardless of geography. At the heart of this distribution network lie the Astra satellites—particularly Astra 1 and Astra 2, operated by SES, one of the world’s leading satellite operators. As media consumption habits evolve and technology advances, the future of satellite TV is being reshaped, but it is far from obsolete.

Astra 1 and Astra 2: The Pillars of European Satellite Broadcasting
The Astra 1 satellites, located at the 19.2°E orbital position, serve a wide audience in continental Europe, providing major channels from countries such as Germany, France, and Spain. Meanwhile, the Astra 2 satellites, positioned at 28.2°E, primarily cater to the UK and Ireland, broadcasting the likes of BBC, ITV, Sky, and Channel 4.

Together, these satellite clusters have underpinned the delivery of digital TV for decades. Their high reliability and wide coverage make them indispensable, especially in rural and underserved areas where terrestrial broadband and cable services are limited or non-existent.

Even with internet based TV services becoming increasingly popular, SES has recently launched a new satellite to enhance broadcasting capabilities at the 19.2° East orbital position, a prime location serving over 119 million TV households across Europe. A second new Astra satellite is expected to launch in 2027.

The first, ASTRA 1P, was successfully launched on June 20, 2024, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. This satellite is SES’s most powerful wide-beam satellite at 19.2° East, equipped with 80 Ku-band transponders capable of supporting hundreds of HD TV channels. Following extensive testing, ASTRA 1P began operational service in early 2025, replacing older satellites like ASTRA 1KR and 1L .

Looking ahead, ASTRA 1Q is scheduled for launch in 2027. This next-generation satellite will feature software-defined capabilities, offering both wide beams for broadcast TV and high-throughput spot beams for video and data services, ensuring continued service into the 2040s .

These advancements underscore SES’s commitment to delivering high-quality broadcast services across Europe, and shows that there is still life in satellite TV for the coming years.

Shifting Viewer Preferences and Hybrid Models
The rise of streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video has challenged the dominance of traditional satellite TV. Cord-cutting is on the rise, particularly among younger audiences who prefer on-demand content over scheduled programming. However, this trend does not spell the end for satellite TV—it signals a transformation.

In response, broadcasters are increasingly adopting hybrid models. Free-to-air services like Freesat in the UK, which uses Astra 2, now integrate internet-delivered content alongside traditional satellite broadcasts. This blend of satellite and IP delivery is creating a more flexible, future-proof ecosystem.

Lag Times and the Streaming Delay Problem
One growing concern with internet-based TV is latency—commonly referred to as lag. Live streaming often introduces delays of 20 to 60 seconds compared to real-time broadcasts, especially during high-demand events such as sports or breaking news. This means satellite viewers may see a goal scored or a result announced well before their streaming counterparts. This delay is caused by multiple factors, including buffering, variable broadband speeds, and data compression. For viewers engaging on social media or receiving notifications, this can be frustrating and disruptive. In contrast, satellite TV delivers content almost instantly, making it more suitable for real-time experiences where immediacy is key. As a result, despite the rise of streaming, many viewers still prefer satellite for live content.

The Internet Isn’t Ready—Yet
Despite the rapid growth of streaming, the UK’s internet infrastructure is not yet universally capable of supporting a fully internet-based television model. While urban areas enjoy high-speed fibre broadband, many rural and suburban communities still struggle with slow or unreliable connections. According to Ofcom, millions of homes remain without access to full-fibre broadband, and network congestion during peak times can reduce streaming quality or cause buffering. A shift to 100% online TV delivery would put enormous pressure on existing networks. Satellite TV, with its consistent quality and wide reach, continues to offer a critical alternative in these areas.

Technological Upgrades and UHD Content
A key part of satellite TV’s future lies in its ability to adapt to new technology. The Astra 1 and 2 satellite groups continue to undergo upgrades to support high-definition (HD) and ultra-high-definition (UHD) broadcasts. With 4K TVs becoming standard, the demand for high-bandwidth, high-quality broadcasts is growing.

Unlike streaming, satellite transmission offers a consistent, high-quality signal unaffected by local internet speeds or congestion. For live events—especially sports and news—this reliability is critical. As a result, satellite TV remains the preferred medium for large-scale, simultaneous broadcast delivery.

The Road Ahead
Looking forward, satellite operators like SES are investing in next-generation satellites and advanced compression technologies to increase channel capacity and efficiency. Projects involving new Astra satellites are already underway, with enhancements in coverage, signal strength, and adaptability.

There’s also a growing interest in integrating satellite broadcast with internet-based return channels to enable interactivity—paving the way for more personalized and data-rich viewing experiences.

Conclusion
The future of satellite TV in the UK and Europe is not about replacement, but reinvention. While the digital landscape continues to diversify, the Astra 1 and Astra 2 satellites remain crucial pillars of content delivery. With technological upgrades and hybrid broadcast models, satellite TV is poised to remain a vital part of Europe’s media infrastructure for years to come.