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Press Release: 08th March, 2005
GlobeCast, Arabsat and ASBU Mark One Year of Global Distribution of Worldwide Arabic Bouquet
New platforms allow broadcasters worldwide to join neighborhood of Arabic-language channels
Riyadh, 08th March 2005
GlobeCast, Arabsat and ASBU today mark one year of successful partnership in the worldwide distribution of the Arabsat/ASBU digital bouquet of Arabic-language channels. Since the launch of this satellite bouquet, the three market leaders have succeeded in turning this project into a true reference for the satellite industry.
By attracting new broadcasters and proposing new services, GlobeCast, Arabsat and ASBU have expanded the bouquet’s potential viewership and footprint offering new coverage on Astra 1E in Europe and PAS-8 in Australia. With this maximum global coverage, channels worldwide are able to join the bouquet and viewers on five continents are free to view its community channels.
Currently, the available services cover the following regions :
Europe via Astra 1E
Australia via PAS-8
North America via GlobeCast WorldTV on Intelsat Americas 5
South America via Hispasat 1C
Africa via NSS 7
Asia via AsiaSat 3S
GlobeCast also provides individual DTH channel distribution for select ASBU member channels to:
Europe via Hot Bird
Australia via Optus B3
Arabsat CEO Khalid Balkheyour remarked, “By using Arabsat and GlobeCast services and local presence as well as the unique programming that our broadcasters offer, and with the help of ASBU, this bouquet has enriched audiences worldwide over the past year. We look forward to continuing our cooperation with GlobeCast and to the continued success of the bouquet.”
ASBU Director General Abdelhafidh Harguem noted “ASBU’s initiative to launch this Global Arabic Bouquet, in close cooperation with Arabsat and GlobeCast, resulted in significant advantages to the Arab satellite channels involved. It contributed to expanding their coverage cost-effectively and thus reaching a wider Arab and multicultural audience worldwide."
GlobeCast President and CEO Christian Pinon said, “The partnership between GlobeCast, Arabsat and ASBU on this bouquet shows the unique potential of our two companies to bring international programming to viewers around the world. This group of channels has set an important precedent in the industry and has proven the effectiveness of bundled programming and one-source global distribution.”
GlobeCast (www.globecast.com) is the world’s leading global satellite services company, operating a global network of satellite distribution platforms for DTH and cable broadcast, enterprise media and advanced IP-based content delivery. The company distributes more than 500 channels worldwide to supply Direct-to-Home Pay TV providers as well as cable operators, and specialises in satellite delivery of multicultural programming to overseas markets through multiple platforms.
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.
The Arab States’ Broadcasting Union (ASBU) is a professional, non-profit organization including 28 Arab networks broadcasting via satellite either their own programs or retransmissions of other channels. Of its member broadcasters, 17 are state-run and 11 are owned and managed by Arab private capital TV channels operated by these networks. ASBU’s channels cover a wide range of purposes and events throughout the Arab world.
GlobeCast Contact:
Lucy Smith lucy.smith@globecast.com + 33 1 55 95 26 10
Denis Gomez denis.gomez@globecast.com + 33 1 55 95 26 04
UK Press Contact – ING MEDIA:
Donna Coyle donna@ing-media.com + 44 207 247 8334
ARABSAT Media Contact:
Mr. Saad al Tehaif saadt@arabsat.com +966 1 482 0000
ASBU Media Contact:
Mr Mohamed Abdalla Osman a.suleiman@asbu.intl.tn +216 70 838 894
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