Focus: Broadcasting

[Via Satellite 11-30-2015] SkyVision Global Networks, in partnership with ABS, is launching two new video platforms on the ABS 3A satellite to enable Direct-to-Home (DTH) services across Sub-Saharan Africa, including French speaking Africa and South Africa. Using the ABS 3A satellite at 3 degrees west, SkyVision will supply Digital Video Broadcast-Satellite (DVB-S) and Second Generation...

[Via Satellite 11-20-2015] Intelsat announced Nov. 19 it has moved the Horizons 2 satellite to a new orbital position at 85 degrees east to launch a new Free-to-Air (FTA) Direct-to-Home (DTH) platform in Thailand. The satellite will support Next Step, a content provider turned platform operator, with launching its new Freeview HD platform, which is...

[Via Satellite 11-17-2015] Eutelsat has sealed a three-year contract with the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) for Ku-band capacity on the Eutelsat 3B satellite. The capacity will be used to deliver 12 free-to-view channels to a nationwide network of 48 Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) transmitters. The agreement between BAZ and Eutelsat will accelerate digital transition...

[Via Satellite 11-16-2015] Yahlive, through a new partnership with Paris-based Sahli Media Group, has launched a bouquet of 43 channels for the Greater Arab Maghreb region. The Free-to-Air (FTA) channels include news, entertainment and lifestyle content. The line-up includes original Arabic TV entertainment and a variety of local channels along with premium international channels including...

[Via Satellite 11-13-2015] A multi-transponder order from Grant Investrade Ltd (GIL) on Thaicom 7 has filled out all the remaining available capacity on the satellite, Thaicom announced Nov. 12. The company is using C-band capacity to provide digital cable TV services through a Headend-In-The-Sky (HITS) system. The HITS service, branded “NXT Digital,” will help enable...

[Via Satellite 11-09-2015] As of October 2015 four satellite pay-TV operators broadcasting from the Arab World — Orbit Showtime Network (OSN), beIN Sports, Al Majd and MyHD — offered a combined total of 280 channels, according to Arab Advisor’s Group. Based on the research group’s new “Satellite pay-TV Operators in the Arab World 2015” report,...

[Via Satellite 11-05-2015] Beninese private news channel Golfe TV Africa has selected Eutelsat Communications to support its transition to High Definition (HD) broadcasting. Golfe TV Africa has taken a three-year capacity lease on the Eutelsat 16A satellite to broadcast Sub-Saharan Africa’s first Free-to-Air (FTA) HD channel starting October 1. Golfe TV Africa has been transmitting...

With many un-connected communities, as well as emerging middle classes wanting pay-TV services, the opportunities for satellite companies are plentiful in Africa. We talk to some key operators in the market about where they see the opportunities in the market.

With accelerated mobile penetration and more OTT offerings coming to market, the future for satellite is far from assured in Africa. Pay-TV could develop in some interesting ways over the next few years.

[Via Satellite 11-02-2015] PT. Graha Pratama Sejahtera (GPS), a leading system integrator based in Indonesia, has launched a bouquet of 14 television channels on AsiaSat 4 at 122 degrees east. The services, uplinked by GPS’s facilities in Jakarta, are distributed via AsiaSat 4 in C-band to satellite television operators in Indonesia. The 14 channels include...