AfricaXP powers FTA local channel bouquet via SES - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

Local television broadcast audiences will now have access to 13 new free-to-air (FTA) channels delivered as a multi-channel bouquet branded ‘Premium.Free’. The bouquet’s launch channels will be supplied by AfricaXP and delivered via SES satellites at 28.2 degrees East, SES announced on Thursday, September 25, 2018.

AfricaXP is the leading independent African channel network, content distributor and producer, which owns and operates over 20 different themed channels supplied to major African broadcasters and African diaspora platforms worldwide. This new bouquet of FTA channels includes premium channels, which are custom-made for African viewers and blend premium African programming with top-flight international content across a diverse range of themes from sports to movies, telenovelas, kids, factual, reality and lifestyle programming.

“By choosing to work with SES, PREMIUM.FREE offers our channels full regional coverage for multinational language channels like Hausa. SES also offers the best possible verified reach in dynamic and important markets like Nigeria,” said Craig Kelly, CEO of AfricaXP.

“AfricaXP is well known for its compelling Nollywood catalogue and longstanding partnerships with prominent West African producers. We are confident that localization coupled with our fresh international rights will provide the kind of content blend that modern West African audiences demand. Transmitted free-to-air, this is obviously a great offer at a price point that can’t be beaten.”

SES reaches over 9 million Direct-to-Home households across West Africa from its orbital position of 28.2 degrees East. Those households with existing FTA set-top boxes (STBs) will be able to start watching the new channels on their existing STBs for free.

In addition to hosting these TV channels on the ASTRA 2G satellite, SES’ media subsidiary, MX1, is providing the necessary ground services such as uplinking, encoding, playout servers, and ad-insertion.

“The Nigerian FTA market in particular offers great opportunities for growth, and we are proud to have engaged with PREMIUM.FREE to deliver a differentiated content package for Nigeria and offer more choice for viewers,” said Clint Brown, Vice President of Sales and Market Development, Africa for SES Video. “New initiatives like this, which focus on delivering local and international content that is attractive for the end-consumer and is offered in high picture quality will further develop consumer choice in Nigeria.”

Nenye Dom/GEE

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TV5MONDE, SES partner on distribution in Sub-Saharan Africa

ITRealms:

One of the world's leading television networks, TV5MONDE, has signed a long-term distribution contract with SES to broadcast three major free-to-air channels to the French-speaking and Francophile public in sub-Saharan Africa, reports ITRealms.

As part of the agreement, TV5MONDE will use the SES-5 satellite to broadcast three channels: its main channel TV5MONDE Afrique, as well as two themed channels, the youth channel TiVi5MONDE and the lifestyle channel TV5MONDE Style HD. The three signals will be relayed to the satellite by the SES Video team.

Located at 5 degrees East, SES-5 provides optimal coverage for sub-Saharan countries. The video position 5 degrees East is a fast growing neighbourhood, made up of renowned TV platforms and more than 500 local and international channels, including 65 French-language channels.

"Thanks to Africa, the French language is being offered a new opportunity to broaden its reach, which is all the more decisive in a digital world where language is becoming increasingly important," said Yves Bigot, Directeur Général of TV5MONDE. "This partnership with SES Video offers us ideal coverage to reach our numerous viewers and a recognized expertise to broadcast our three channels".

"We are delighted to help TV5MONDE extend the distribution of its channels across sub-Saharan Africa and, in our own way, contribute to the spread of the French language on this continent," said Ferdinand Kayser, CEO of SES Video. 

In addition, Kayer said, TV5MONDE’s decision demonstrates the quality of its infrastructure and assets in these countries. 

"Thanks to its powerful and robust coverage, our SES-5 satellite will allow TV5MONDE to distribute this new content offer in an optimal manner to cable and IP networks in the region, as well as reach the 3.8 million TV homes equipped with direct reception at 5 degrees east" the SES boss said.

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