GlobeCast and satellite operator Arabsat announced at IBC 2007 that they have agreed to extend their cooperation on the worldwide distribution of the Arabsat/ASBU digital bouquet of Arabic-language channels for five additional years, from 2009 to 2014.
Since the launch of the partnership in 2004, GlobeCast, Arabsat and ASBU have expanded the bouquets potential viewership and footprint, offering maximum global coverage by attracting new broadcasters and offering new services. Channels worldwide are now able to join the bouquet and viewers on five continents are free to view its community channels, including: Abu Dhabi TV, Abu Dhabi Sports, Al-Iraqiya TV, Al Jazeera, Al Ordoniyah, Jamahirya Satellite Channel, Oman TV Satellite, Qatar TV, Saudi Arabian TV 1, Saudi Arabian TV 2, Sharjah TV, Sudan TV, Syrian Satellite Channel.
As of today, the available services cover the following regions: North America via WorldTV on Galaxy 25; South America via Hispasat 1C; Africa via NSS 7; Asia via AsiaSat 2.
GlobeCast also provides individual DTH channel distribution for selected ASBU member channels to:
Europe via Hot Bird and Astra 1E; Australia via Optus B3 and Intelsat 8.
The continued partnership between GlobeCast, Arabsat and ASBU proves our commitment to bringing international programming to viewers around the world, said GlobeCast president and CEO Christian Pinon, The renewal of our cooperation for the next five years will help to ensure the success of the bouquet.
Arabsat CEO Eng. Khalid A. Balkheyour ads, We are looking forward to continue our cooperation with GlobeCast which has set an important precedent in the industry and has proven the effectiveness of bundled programming and one-source global distribution.
ASBUs Director General, Salaheddine Maaoui emphasized on the role of the Union for providing comprehensive and consistent services, in partnership with Arabsat and GlobeCast, to its eminent members.