1 October 2017
Arab Satellite Communications Organization – Arabsat – holds its 9th annual Satellite TV Broadcast Forum on the 3rd and 4th October 2017 in Rotana Resort, Salalah, Sultanate of Oman, under the patronage of His Excellency the Omani Minister of Information.
The Forum is attended by Arab and international media figures as well as owners and officials in the satellite television broadcasting industry and distinguished delegates from the Arab League and the Omani government.
Arabsat organises this forum annually to establish close contact with its customers, updating them on the latest trends and identifying their needs. During the Forum there will be a number of sessions focusing on TV HD satellite Broadcasting Technologies and related subjects.
Khalid bin Ahmed Balkheyour, President & CEO of Arabsat, thanked the Government of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said of Oman represented by the Ministry of Information for the kind patronage and support received by Arabsat from the Omani Ministry of Transport and Telecommunications.
Balkhyour added that Arabsat will also showcase the latest satellite TV broadcasting technologies offered by the 6th generation satellites to its customers.
(Source: Arabsat press release)
29 September 2017
Alhurra Television is debuting an original documentary, Laughter in the Time of Terrorism, which tells the story of Arab satirists who are using humor to fight one of the most dangerous organizations in the world, ISIS. The two-part documentary highlights comedic Arab hosts who view ISIS’s ideology and barbarism through the lens of sarcasm and jest to expose the lies of the brutal organization.
The documentary centers on how these satirists challenge the barbarism of the Islamic State and highlight its hypocrisy. It examines how freedom of speech is constantly under threat from those espousing radical ideologies who seek to silence others with threat of retaliation. It also emphasizes the bravery of the satirists who effectively diminish the influence of terror groups like ISIS by artfully exposing the contradictions between their ideology and methods. These comedians are committed to their mission, which they persist in pursuing despite the inherent dangers of provoking ISIS, an organization that has massacred entire communities because they hold different beliefs.
Through interviews with the hosts of some of the most incisive satirical news programs across the Middle East and North Africa, Laughter in the Time of Terrorism documents the satirists’ experiences with intimidation efforts. Although they constantly receive death threats from the terror group ISIS and other radical militias, none of the comedians have any reservations about continuing their work. Lebanese, Palestinian, Libyan, Tunisian, and Moroccan humorists explain how they believe that making people laugh at ISIS will help to cast their fears away and is worth the known risks.
“In the recent years, several important programs have been using satire to challenge the influence of ISIS, diminish the prevalence of sectarianism, and condemn political corruption in the MENA region. We wanted to document the resilience of these satirists and examine the challenges they faced as a result of lampooning the extremist ideology of ISIS with biting humor,” stated MBN President Alberto Fernandez. MBN manages and oversees Alhurra Television. “Laughter in the Time of Terrorism exhibits how important freedom of expression is in fighting the extremist ideology of ISIS. This is a theme that Alhurra is committed to exploring, expanding the knowledge and perspective of our viewers.”
Laughter in the Time of Terrorism will air on Alhurra Television on September 30th at 20:00 (GMT).
(Source: Alhurra press release)
15 September 2017
Eutelsat Communications (NYSE Euronext Paris: ETL) today announced at the IBC show in Amsterdam that its Sat.tv app, the smart programme guide available through tablets and smartphones, is now running on connected TVs using the HbbTV standard. Available for free channels broadcasting from Eutelsat’s HOTBIRD and 7/8° West video neighbourhoods, Sat.tv helps viewers browse through hundreds of free channels and track their favourite programmes. The extension to connected TVs starts at the HOTBIRD neighbourhood and will be expanded in the coming months to Eutelsat’s 7/8° west neighbourhood.
More than 1.2 million downloads
Launched in April 2016, the application which is free to download on the App Store and Google Play Store, is designed for the millions of viewers in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East receiving over 400 free-to-air channels broadcast from Eutelsat’s two leading hubs, at 13° East (HOTBIRD) and 7/8° West. It has achieved a record number of downloads, reaching 1.2 million this month.
Improved visibility of free-to-air channels
Sat.tv is a new-generation smart programme guide designed to enrich the viewer experience and represents a new way for free-to-air satellite channels to engage with their audiences. A breakdown of programme schedules appears in real time in the application. The user-friendly interface, available in five languages (English, French, Russian, Italian and Arabic), allows viewers to access full details of the programmes of their choice in almost 40 languages.
Personalised recommendations directly on HbbTV connected TVs
The principal features include access to all programmes broadcast by channels included in the app, with the option of refining a search by time, channel or programme type. Viewers can easily record their preferences, enabling the recommendation engine to put forward programmes that match individual interests.
Through the addition of the HbbTV standard, viewers equipped for HOTBIRD can now directly access on their connected TV both personally selected and recommended programmes.
Sat.tv and its latest developments will be presented during the IBC show in Amsterdam from 15 to 19 September on Eutelsat’s stand – Hall 1, Stand D59.
(Source: Eutelsat press release)
15 September 2017
Talia Limited, a leading communication provider serving the Middle East, Africa, Europe and the Americas, announces the partnership with Arabsat of a new 10-channel video uplink to the Arabsat Badr-7 satellite located at 26°E.
The service will offer both SD and HD channel uplinks and will form the basis of a new high-power Ku-band neighbourhood over Iraq. Content will be up-linked from the Talia Teleport in Raisting, Germany and monitored for quality in the Talia NOC in Erbil on the Badr-7 located at 26E.
With many content creators looking to new audiences, the neighbourhood of channels will provide a voice and original Iraqi-themed programming to millions of currently underserved and underrepresented citizens. Following scheduled meetings at IBC in September, we expect the number of to increase further.
With Talia’s strong regional presence in Iraq and well-established customer base, Talia are ideally placed to serve the region.
“This partnership cements our on-going commitment to Arabsat,” stated Talia CEO and President Alan Afrasiab. “This service will start with 10 channels but we believe this will expand as more broadcasters reach the growing number of viewers in the region. The video platform continues to build on our existing broadcast services and experience and the Middle East’s leading communications provider.”
Khalid Balkheyour, Arabsat President & CEO said “Indeed, we have conducted cautious surveys during the course of selecting our teleport partner to launch Arabsat 1st DTH platform from Germany. We’ve reached the conclusion that Talia with its globally recognized brand in terms of adequate and reliable Satellite and Terrestrial Networks offering various facilities connecting Middle east and Europe with high monitoring capabilities and quality of service that provide excellent solution to ARABSAT DTH Services from Europe, of which shall provide Arabsat international & regional broadcasters with the optimum quality of service.”
(Source: Arabsat press release)
14 September 2017
The Broadcasting Board of Governors’ CEO John F. Lansing testified before the Helsinki Commission today on the escalation of Russian disinformation around the world and the BBG’s response to it.
“Make no mistake the United States is confronted by information warfare, and I don’t use that term lightly,” said Lansing. “The good work of our journalists around the world is an essential element of the national security tool kit through the export of objective, independent, and professional journalism and the universal values of free media and free speech.”
Lansing detailed the February launch of Current Time, a 24/7 Russian-language digital network that aims to reach Russian speakers in Russia, the Russian periphery, and around the world.
Current Time produces daily news shows about the United States and global events (including within Russia), and features reports on business, entrepreneurship, civil society, culture, and corruption. It is distributed in more than 23 countries on 59 satellite, cable, and digital distributors.
Co-chair Congressman Chris Smith (R-NJ) agreed with Lansing on the effectiveness of the network, “Current Time is a responsible and responsive attempt to get the truth out.”
The hearing, which examined Russia’s efforts to spread disinformation, both domestically and abroad, was chaired by Acting Chairman Cory Gardner (R-CO). Co-Chair Chris Smith (R-NJ), Senate Foreign Relations Committee Ranking Member Ben Cardin (D-MD), and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) were among the Commission Members who attended.
In addition to BBG CEO Lansing, the committee heard testimony from Melissa Hooper, Director of Human Rights and Civil Society Programs at Human Rights First and Molly McKew, CEO of Fianna Strategies.
A recording of today’s hearing is available on the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe’s website.
CEO Lansing’s written testimony is available here.
(Source: BBG press release)
