|
Press Release: 05th July, 2005
BBC World renews its agreement with Arabsat for greater distribution in the Middle East
Fourth-generation Arabsat satellite will allow additional access to the region’s Direct-To-Home market
Riyadh, 05th July 2005
Leading satellite operator Arabsat and the BBC’s international news and information channel, BBC World, announce a five-year agreement to broadcast BBC World on Arabsat 2D and on Arabsat’s renewed fourth-generation satellite Arabsat 4A, set for launch in late 2005. The digital distribution platform in Ku-band will allow BBC World direct access to the Middle Eastern and North African markets via Arabsat’s satellite fleet.
Arabsat CEO Eng. Khalid A. Balkheyour says: “Arabsat is proud of the renewal of this service for a prestigious customer; it is the result of the strong partnership we have developed with BBC World over the years. Arabsat is always keen to be the pioneer in serving its customers through the introduction and utilization of the state-of-the-art technologies in order to upgrade their performance and connect them with their viewers or users wherever they are.”
Jeff Hazell, Director of Sales and Distribution, BBC World, adds: “We are delighted to be renewing our already long standing relationship with Arabsat. BBC World is one of the main English-language international television broadcasters for the Arab world, where already it has very strong distribution figures. This agreement will ensure that the channel is seen even more widely around the Middle East region, offering viewers BBC World’s trusted output of balanced, accurate hourly bulletins and award-winning current affairs and documentary programming.”
ARABSAT (www.arabsat.com) is dedicated to enabling the Arab World with a range of satellite-based communications services. ARABSAT continues to offer customers multi-mission satellite services, such as television, telephony, Internet and the provision of VSAT and other interactive services that meet both current and emerging demands of ARABSAT customers. The ARABSAT vision is to be recognized as the pioneer of satellite communications in the Arab World. ARABSAT is committed to continuously expanding its services in order to meet the evolving needs of customers, delivering an unparalleled level of service by maintaining a quality product, employing the most skilled individuals, and remaining educated in new technologies.
BBC World, the BBC’s commercially funded international 24-hour news and information channel, is owned and operated by BBC World Ltd, a member of the BBC’s commercial group of companies. BBC World is available in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide, and reaches 266 million households (128 million 24-hour homes) and more than one million hotel rooms. BBC World launched in its present format in 1995 and is funded by advertising and subscription. For further information on how to receive BBC World, download schedules or find out more about the channel, visit bbcworld.com.
ARABSAT Media Contact:
Mr. Saad al Tehaif saadt@arabsat.com +966 1 482 0000
BBC World Press Contact:
Mr. Kevin Young kevin.young@bbc.co.uk +44 20 8433 3787
Public Relations |