Al Jazeera is further consolidating its longstanding relationship with Eutelsat Communications (Euronext Paris: ETL) with a new contract for capacity on the EUTELSAT 7 West A satellite (ex. ATLANTIC BIRD 7) located at 7° West. The announcement was made today at Cabsat Dubai.
Al Jazeera has chosen the new service area on EUTELSAT 7 West A that enables the media corporation to extend coverage across North West Africa to Morocco and as far as Nigeria. Broadcasts have already begun, with nine channels operational, including the flagship Al Jazeera news channels in Arabic and English, as well as documentary, childrens and sports channels.
In service since October 2011, the EUTELSAT 7 West A satellite has strengthened Eutelsats commercial response to broadcasters operating across the Middle East and North Africa. The satellites widebeam delivers unmatched performance and coverage into over 30 million homes, while the new North-West Africa footprint opens the opportunity for channels to further consolidate their reach.
7° West, the fastest-growing video neighbourhood: TV channels up by 35% in 2011
The 7° West neighbourhood assembles the largest community of satellite TV channels in the Middle East and North Africa. Channels grew by 35% in 2011, reflecting the dynamic of free-to-air and pay-TV, which represent 80% and 20% of the 822 Arab and international channels broadcast by the five satellites operated at 7° West by Eutelsat and Nilesat.