Since the launch of Arabsat's first digital bouquets in 1997 and being the first initiator of this service in MENA region, viewers have been enjoying more choices of information and entertainment TV programs than ever before. With the existed satellite capacity and high power coverage, television broadcasting for direct-to-home has become very popular throughout MENA region.
Arabsat Digital transmissions over DTH platforms offer superior picture and sound quality, and increased channel capacity. Currently, Arabsat serves over 66 television and broadcast companies, combining 180 TV digital programs, offering news, sports, music, movies, general entertainment and educational programs. Mass viewership has already been proven: some 91 million viewers watch television programs delivered by Arabsat, representing the vastest Market Share; 61% of Digital TV viewers. Arabsat is already a household name to many regional and international broadcasters and the general public (viewers).
The rapid economic growth throughout MENA region and the improving standard of people's life have given rise to an increasing demand for entertainment and information among audiences in MENA, in particular those living in the gulf area. Arabsat plays an important role in the development of the Arabs satellite television business.
Deploying a comprehensive satellite utilization concept, Arabsat has started broadcasting its C-band Digital Broadcasting through BADR-C satellite and will expand this service on its future Arabsat-4A. This transmission will cover around 90% of Africa + Central Asia. The virtual competencies of the C-band Digital Broadcasting will provide added value to the neighborhood, as well as expanding broadcasters reach.
* Service Specifications:
· ARABSAT Badr-4 & Badr-3 satellites carrying approximately 240 different television channels through its MPEG DVB Digital TV Platform.
· Utilizing the wide coverage area of ARABSAT- Badr-4 & Badr-3 & the coming Badr-6 satellites, the Arab community in Europe is able to watch different Arab TV programs.
· Broadcasters can use back hauling capacity provided by ARABSAT to send their signal to a centrally located platform in Tunis or Media Cities . The signal can be multiplexed and rebroadcasted to the ARABSAT hot position at 26° East (Badr-4 & Badr-3 satellites). This allows for high-quality reception throughout MENA region and Western Europe by standard MPEG-2 DVB receivers.
· ARABSAT has also developed DVB digital radio, which benefits smaller stations by giving them low cost access. Currently , Arabsat broadcasts around 85 digital radio programs from around the world to the whole of the MENA region.
· Superior customer service offering 24/7/365 technical support and monitoring.
· Back-up capacity, contingency planning & disaster recovery.