Regional podcast network Finyal Media has partnered with Media International Services Gulf (MIS Gulf), a media sales specialist in the Middle East. The partnership will see MIS Gulf and Finyal Media bring podcast media offerings to brands across the region and driving growth of the MENA podcasting sector.
The first-of-its-kind partnership in the region will see MIS Gulf being responsible for all podcast media sales for Finyal Media across the MENA. The media offerings on Finyal Media’s podcast network includes ad spots, sponsorship opportunities, product placement and branded content offerings which include the development and production of podcast shows on the brands’ behalf. Finyal Media will be the first regional podcast network to have media agency representation, demonstrating the podcast media space is firmly on the radar as a growing medium for brand advertising within the region.
With a long history of media representation, of clients including CNN International & CNN Arabic, Fatafeat, Grand Cinemas and Chanel Factory in its portfolio, MIS Gulf has a growing focus on digital media sales. The partnership with Finyal Media aims to raise awareness of podcast brand solutions within the marketing community and help accelerate the monetisation of podcasts in the region.
Commenting on the partnership, Leila Hamadeh, Co-Founder and CEO of Finyal Media, said: “We are delighted to be embarking on this partnership with MIS Gulf, and to be the first podcast network in the region to have a long-term agency partnership for media sales. Given the recent boom in the podcasting space, this partnership really demonstrates the potential growth in the region for marketing opportunities within the podcast sector. We look forward to working with MIS Gulf to help brands achieve their marketing goals with the help of Finyal Media and our podcast offerings as well as supporting the growth of the podcast industry overall.”
Marwan Kai, CEO of MIS Gulf, added: “I am delighted to announce our partnership with Finyal Media on this exciting project! Since its launch back in the 80’s, MIS has been at the heart of change that the Media landscape has witnessed over the years, and hence, it is only fitting that we are joining hands with the leading Podcast operators in the MENA region. Content is more than ever key to proper consumer engagement, and Finyal has demonstrated that the content that they are curating, Works. This partnership will put at the Brands’ disposal a measured, cost-efficient engaging solution that will allow for accurate data targeting, ROI and Results.”
AJA Video Systems has released Mini-Config v2.26.2, a free software update that introduces a host of new features for AJA 12G-SDI, 4K/UltraHD and other Mini-Converter models, including Region of Interest scan converters, as well as the new FS-HDR v4.1 firmware update for HDR/WCG converter and frame synchronizer.
Mini-Config v2.26.2 introduces Extended Display Identification Data (EDID) emulation for all HA5-12G models, HA5-4K, HA5-Plus, ROI-DP, ROI-DVI, and ROI-HDMI, enabling the connected source to continuously output the desired video format. The update extends pass-through support and compatibility with Dolby Digital Plus JOC (joint object coding) for HA5-4K and all HA5-12G models. Mini-Config v2.26.2 also delivers p60 to p59.94 and p59.94 to p60 simple frame rate conversion for 12GM, HA5-12G, HA5-4K, and HA5-Plus; loss of input management capabilities for the UDC and FS-Mini; and PsF support for 12GM, HA5-12G and Hi5-12G models.
Commenting on the development, Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems, said: “AJA’s robust, production-proven lineup of Mini-Converters offers unprecedented workflow flexibility across a wide range of production environments, and with the new Mini-Config v2.26.2 update, we’ve introduced a selection of critical features that further streamline workflows and help users produce and deliver the highest-quality video and audio for a seamless audience experience.”
Mini-Config v.2.26.2 is now available as a free download from AJA’s website.
The New Media Academy has launched the Middle East’s first virtual campus that leverages immersive technology.
The campus is a custom New Media Academy-branded Space Station in orbit around Mars and users will be given the experience to transport down to the surface of Mars to explore.
The inauguration of the virtual campus drew the participation of several academy members and alumni, including leaders from public and private sector institutions and independent content makers. Immersive and virtual reality technology specialist and Forbes columnist Charlie Fink delivered a presentation on the role of AR and VR in business and accelerating global transition towards digital learning in virtual and immersive environments.
Speaking about the launch, Rashid Al Awadhi, CEO of New Media Academy, said: “VR and immersive technologies are shaping the learning experience of tomorrow. It is not a moment; it is a permanent movement. With the extensive set of tools that comes with immersive learning, accessibility becomes a possibility and is the next best thing to real life. Students become active participants in an elevated educational process with exceptional multi-sensory 3D experiences where they can interact with objects and each other. VR is not simply a supplement for other learning solutions – it is the future. Our students have access to the highest quality education, supported by the world’s best educators. At the New Media Academy, launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in June 2020 to foster a new generation of Arab content creation professionals with limitless ambition, we seek to set high standards for creative and digital learning in the region.”
Charlie Fink added: “Virtual and immersive reality applications have proven highly efficient in keeping pace with the rapid changes that our world has witnessed during the past year in terms of learning, work and communication systems. Today, immersive and integrated virtual reality experiences can enhance the flexibility of business, education, training and healthcare sectors, and ensure that we communicate under any circumstances, benefiting from digital tools and solutions. The launch of the first virtual campus of its kind in the region by the New Media Academy makes it a role model in developing innovative mechanisms that shape the future of learning and give learners new and wider spaces to test and experiment with concepts and ideas in a virtual environment with limitless creativity.”
The academy has developed its new virtual campus built upon Engage, a global platform dedicated to the development of advanced learning environments using virtual reality technologies. The virtual campus is a first step in the New Media Academy’s quest to design a learning experience featuring immersive technologies.
David Whelan, CEO and founder of Immersive VR Education (IVRE), which developed Engage, stated: “I am delighted to welcome the New Media Academy to the Engage platform as the first to launch a digital VR campus in the Middle East. This partnership will see the Academy offer access to a fully immersive virtual campus, where users can interact on a wide range of devices and VR headsets. This is only the start of what we hope to be a fruitful and productive venture into the Middle East.”
The new virtual campus and the inaugural event are powered by VIVE, a major player in premium VR.
Daniel Khayat, Head of Product and VIVEPORT Middle East and Africa, said: “We are pleased to see the New Media Academy develop the first virtual campus of its kind in the Middle East. This type of innovation is very close to our vision with VIVE being a pioneer in innovation, supporting various sectors and businesses to achieve greater success by providing world-class experiences in immersive reality technology. The training and education sector can lead the transformation of business sectors towards virtual reality. We will witness qualitative growth and more satisfaction with the application of virtual reality as the new trend. ”
The New Media Academy is building strategic partnerships with global solution providers to offer flexible interactive educational and training materials that adhere to world-class standards and global best practices for its programme members that include public sector leaders, private sector employees, content creators, influencers and those interested in developing advanced digital skills.
It also cooperates with world-renowned experts and trainers to deliver its educational programmes that cover various digital skills and grant the Academy’s members a competitive head start in communication, digital strategy design and content creation.
The MENA region has long been a unique broadcasting environment, with more than 1,100 free-to-air channels available, offering almost unlimited choice. They are primarily broadcast via satellite, by far the leading distribution platform here. This is reinforced in a study undertaken by Arabsat, one of the leading satellite operators in the Arab world, with a strong presence across the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
The MENA Satellite Penetration study, conducted in 2020 with research specialist IPSOS, shows that satellite continues to enjoy a 97% market share, despite the uptake of IPTV and streaming services. The majority of MENA TV viewers, who are young, are loyal to satellite TV and use streaming services to complement their on-demand viewing experience. The study also shows that satellite TV viewers are largely citizens (96%); the remaining 4% are split equally between Arabs and other nationalities.
Arabsat, founded in 1976, has periodically undertaken such surveys to get a clear understanding of the markets it operates in and to see how to better serve its customers and viewers.
The main purpose of this study is to make sure we have the right offering of channels and services, maximising the benefits for our broadcast customers and partners, while at the same time continuously improving viewer experience and use value for the Arabsat TV audience, says Badih Kanaan, Director Marketing, Arabsat.
The study also provides business-relevant updates on the latest changes in market behaviour, viewer socio-demographics, viewing preference and TV household readiness for next-generation TV services. These data and facts are a valuable source for the strategic planning of our customers as well as for our own strategic initiatives, and we are glad to be able to share all those learnings and trends with our customers and partners in webinars and customer workshops.
It was an interesting journey. A very challenging journey, especially with Covid-19. This research enables us to continuously offer enhanced products and services to our customers and partners. This time, however, the study had a broader scope and scale. Under the research expertise of IPSOS, the study included not just the 22 countries in the Arab region but also reached out to other Arab communities in Europe and Africa.
Arabsat has introduced initiatives to encourage broadcasters to move to HD broadcasting.
Together with IPSOS, we explored all satellite TV aspects, including the potential of complementary or substitute technologies and other players in the market. We are very proud of this study, because it was perhaps the most comprehensive one we have conducted for Arabsat, and we are looking forward to sharing our findings with our customer base.
According to the study, the vast majority of MENA viewers almost 80% are under 44 years old, and at least 45% are under 30, which illustrates the strong sustainable relevance of satellite TV in MENA.
The paucity of broadband in the region, except in the wealthier GCC countries, and satellites ability to reach remote parts of the Arab world where fibre and other infrastructure are minimal, means satellite remains the main mode of content distribution, entertainment and even internet access. As a result, operators have a powerful position, with Arabsat enjoying a large share of the pie in several Arab markets.
Saudi Arabia is one of our key markets, and we are clearly leading there with access to 90% of the satellite TV households. Out of these, at least 9% or 523,000 homes watch Arabsat exclusively – Laith Alani, Head of Product Sales Broadcasting Services, Arabsat
Arabsat owns and operates seven satellites at three orbital positions, 20°, 26° and 30.5° East: Arabsat-5C (20°E), BADR4, BADR-5, BADR-6, BADR-7 (26°E), Arabsat-5A and Arabsat-6A (30.5°E). Coverage spans more than 100 countries, including the MENA, Europe and Central Asia, with more than 650 TV channels and 270 radio stations. Arabsats video hotspot at 26°E alone caters to more than 288m MENA viewers, transmitting more than 50% of its TV channels in HD or 4K.
There is extra good news in the research for Arabsat 77% of MENA homes are aware of the brand, and 58% have chosen it as their satellite provider. With 103m satellite TV homes in MENA, this means at least 60m of them use Arabsats TV services, whether exclusively or along with other TV services.
Three main factors are responsible for Arabsats success, according to the research: technical robustness, programme selection and family members choice.
In the GCC, 88% of homes use satellite services provided by Arabsat, with at least 7.6m homes getting their TV this way. There has also been great success in Saudi Arabia, where it is the first choice for more than 5.25m households.
Laith Alani, Head of Product Sales Broadcasting Services, Arabsat, elaborates: Saudi Arabia is one of our key markets, and we are clearly leading there with access to 90% of the satellite TV households. Out of these, at least 9% or 523,000 homes watch Arabsat exclusively. We are also further improving in other Gulf countries despite the increased offerings and initiatives from IPTV and OTT players, particularly in those fast flourishing countries, where the infrastructure developed in the new suburbs creates a fertile ground for such applications to thrive. Not only in Saudi Arabia, but overall, we have maintained our success in the GCC, where we enjoy 88% viewership. And thanks to the great support and loyalty of our customers, we have logged over 813,000 homes watching programmes exclusively via Arabsat satellites.
One reason for Arabsats exceptional success is its strict adherence to the cultural sensitivities of the Arab world, making it the family members choice.
The content we carry on our satellites is in perfect harmony with the values and traditions of the Arab world, explains Sami Mobarah, Arabsat Product Marketing Manager. Arabsat was one of the members who defined the Arab States Charter for Satellite TV. This charter is reflected in all Arabsat contracts, so our video hotspot is the safest for all families. We are also part of the Arab League, which makes us the first choice for governmental and national TVs in the region.
The main purpose 68 of this study is to make sure we have the right offering of channels and services, maximising the benefits for our broadcast customers and partners – Badih Kanaan, Director Marketing, Arabsat
In the Levant region plus Iraq and Iran, 77% of homes have access to Arabsat, with 26.8m satellite TV homes choosing it as their preferred satellite TV service provider, the study shows. It has had a majority market share in Lebanon since January 2020, where it caters to 860,000 satellite TV homes and 78% viewership 22% exclusively on Arabsat, which comes to 238,000 homes.
No other operator in the region enjoys this exclusive market share, making Arabsat the leading regional satellite operator in Lebanon. This has also led to a positive impact on adjacent markets like Jordan, where viewership has increased by 11% just after the Lebanese channels shifted exclusively to Arabsat, explains Alani.
Alani attributes the success in Lebanon to a strategy that concluded in December 2019, whereby it secured and migrated all of the top Lebanese channels to its satellite exclusively, causing a mass shift in viewership in the country.
Particularly in the Levant, we did a survey before the shift of channels and another one after, and found that weve enjoyed at least 20% increase in Lebanon since the migration. More importantly, this shift has impacted adjacent markets like Jordan, where we enjoyed a 10% increase. We still believe that there will be larger differences if we conduct further measurement again. And this is quite a significant achievement, as we trust that the Lebanese content and channels are one of the top most-watched across MENA, Alani explains.
Arabsat also leads in Irans broadcast space. The satellite operator has access to 97% of the Iranian TV market, which totals around 22.34m satellite-connected homes.
North African countries also have an impressive uptake of Arabsat channels, with 53% of satellite TV households signed up, meaning 10.1m TV homes, and Alani says Arabsat has prime position in some African markets Algeria, Mauritania and Djibouti.
In the latter two especially, Arabsat caters to the majority of satellite-connected homes, with 98% of Djibouti and 91% of Mauritania having access. The operator serves 34% of 95,000 satellite homes exclusively in Djibouti, and 30% of 740,000 in Mauritania. In Algeria too, Arabsat has penetrated the market with 68% of satellite homes, which amounts to 4.8m households.
In this study, we found that Arabsats overall position increased by at least 30% since the last time we did a large-scale measurement like this one, which was around five years ago, explains Alani. We have seen tremendous increase in some markets over others. Thankfully, we have no declines and although we are satisfied with this growth, we are looking forward to new ways to grow in the future.
The study also reveals that the most-watched languages for TV viewing, besides Arabic and local languages, are English, French and Turkish.
Such information is very valuable for our customers targeting specific audience groups, explains Alani. We also have Urdu and Hindi, which is expected because of the content being broadcast over satellites as well as the larger community from India, Pakistan and Southeast Asia countries residing here in this part of MENA.
One other important factor is the significant uptake of HD in the market. Arabsat currently carries more than 230 HD channels. At least 50% of TV channels on its 26°E orbital location are in HD or 4K. Badih Kanaan says the strategy during the last five years has been to attract the most-watched channels where possible, exclusively in HD.
77% of TV sets in the MENA region are flatscreen. 56% of TV sets in the MENA region are in HD format. Additionally, 6% of TV sets in the region are in 4K format while at least 40% of homes have smart TVs.
While the Gulf region has a very high uptake of HD set-top boxes (75%), at least 56% of MENA viewers have HD receivers and at least 21% have replaced their receivers in the last year. This impressive growth has led HD to become a mass market service, with satellite leading and seamlessly enabling the best picture quality across the whole region.
Sami Mobarah says penetration will further accelerate as HD receivers and television sets become more affordable.
The main factors that influence the uptake of new technology within a market would be the availability of exclusive content, the availability of HD TVs and availability of HD receivers. Not all of our clients can afford HD transmission yet, but we have introduced initiatives to encourage broadcasters to upgrade their content by providing them attractive pricing models or supporting them with equipment to encourage HD broadcasting. Also, Arabsat signed a partnership with leading broadcasters such as MBC and Rotana to broadcast their channels exclusively on HD format, and this helped increase the consumer demand for HD receivers.
After HD, UHD will be the next technology to bring an even further enhanced viewing experience to MENA. In support of this, we are closely working together with our customers and partners to align technology, provide expertise, build most efficient distribution workflows and processes, and calibrate business models, making them most suitable for the uptake of UHD in the future.
The content we carry on our satellites is in perfect harmony with the values and traditions of the Arab world – Sami Mobarah, Product Marketing Manager, Arabsat
Kanaan adds that Arabsat has already put in place a clear strategy for our upcoming satellites and the replacement of existing satellites.
We recently signed a contract for the new BADR-8 satellite, which will bring new high-performance growth capacity to the market, especially in the broadcasting segment. We have other plans as well to enhance the products and services we are bringing to the market.
Kanaan adds: In many regions and countries, our satellite fleet is also already used to enable seamless deployment and growth of internet connectivity and IP-centric file, data and content delivery. We are studying the market, exploring new technologies and new trends, and we are confident we will have a new portfolio of very attractive and future-ready services for our clients and partners available at the right time.
AJA has rolled out its new compact media reader with USB-C connectivity, PAK Dock Pro.
PAK Dock Pro streamlines the transfer of Apple ProRes and Avid DNx files from AJA Ki Pro Ultra 12G digital video recorders to desktop and laptop computers on macOS and Windows operating systems.
This new device needs no external power supply and supports the latest USB connectivity, including USB 3.2 Gen 1 standard via the USB-C connection. PAK Dock Pro is compatible with all AJA PAK drives including the PAK 2000, PAK 1000, PAK 512 and PAK 256, and PAK drives used in legacy Ki Pro Ultra and Ki Pro Quad products.
Speaking about the new launch, Nick Rashby, President, AJA Video Systems, said: “Speed and efficiency are mission-critical in modern content production, and we strive to deliver these features for every product we bring to market. AJA PAK Dock Pro integrates the latest USB-C connectivity to ensure lightning-fast results and broad compatibility when transferring media, whatever the use case.”
AJA PAK Dock Pro is available now through AJA’s worldwide reseller network for $195 MSRP.
Warner Bros. Pictures has released the official trailer for writer/director/producer Lisa Joy’s action thriller Reminiscence, starring Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson and Thandiwe Newton.
In the film, Nick Bannister (Jackman), a private investigator of the mind, navigates the darkly alluring world of the past by helping his clients access lost memories. Living on the fringes of the sunken Miami coast, his life is forever changed when he takes on a new client, Mae (Ferguson). A simple matter of lost and found becomes a dangerous obsession. As Bannister fights to find the truth about Mae’s disappearance, he uncovers a violent conspiracy, and must ultimately answer the question: how far would you go to hold on to the ones you love?
Alongside Oscar nominee Jackman (Les Misérables), Ferguson (upcoming Dune) and Newton (Solo: A Star Wars Story), the film stars Cliff Curtis (Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw), Oscar nominee Marina de Tavira (Roma), Daniel Wu (Warcraft), Mojean Aria (Dead Lucky), Brett Cullen (Joker), Natalie Martinez (The Stand), Angela Sarafyan (Westworld) and Nico Parker (Dumbo).
Joy (Westworld) makes her feature film directing debut with Reminiscence, and directs from her own original screenplay. The film is produced by Joy, Jonathan Nolan, Michael De Luca and Aaron Ryder. The executive producers are Athena Wickham, Elishia Holmes and Scott Lumpkin.
Joy’s creative team includes several of her Westworld collaborators, including director of photography Paul Cameron, production designer Howard Cummings, editor Mark Yoshikawa and composer Ramin Djawadi, along with costume designer Jennifer Starzyk (Bill & Ted Face the Music).
The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures. It is set for release in theatres in the region on 19th August 2021.
Netflix has added the Egyptian feature film Bain Bahrain (Between Two Seas) by Egyptian-American director Anas Tolba.
The film is written by Maryam Naoum, screenplay and dialogue by Amany al-Tunisy and co-written by Karim Al-Dalil, starring Fatima Adel, Yara Gobran, Tharaa Jubail, Mahmoud Fares, Arefa Abdelrasoul and Lubna Wanas.
The events follow a woman Zahra, whose daughter is in a terrible accident during a visit to a Cairo suburb. Zahra seeks to restore her daughter’s right, and she insists upon her daughter completing her education.
The film sheds light on the various societal issues facing women, especially in rural areas.
The film recently ended a festival tour around the world, during which it picked up over 20 international awards. It previously won six awards from the National Egyptian Film Festival at the al-Gomhoreya Theater in Cairo.
The movie went on to participate in several Arab and international festivals, including the Red Carpet Festival in Palestine, the Karama Human Rights Film Festival in Jordan, Religion Today in Italy, Aarhus Arab Film Festival in Denmark, the Arab Film Festival in Tübingen, Germany, and the Mostra de Valencia festival in Spain.
The movie was awarded: Best Director (Anas Tolba), Best Screenplay (Amani al-Tunisy and Karim al-Dalil), Best Second Role (Mahmoud Fares), Best Actress in a Second Role (Arefa Abdelrasoul), and Best First Production and Best Editing (Yamen Zakaria).
Egyptian director Amir Ramses’s film Curfew has been selected for the screening at the 24th edition of Shanghai International Film Festival. The event will take place from June 11 to June 20, 2021.
Set in Fall 2013, Curfew follows the story of Faten, who was released from prison after serving two decades due to committing a horrible crime. The curfew declared during that time forces Faten to spend one night with her daughter, Laila, who faces her mother with a second trial in search of answers. The night passes with both women trying to accept one another.
The movie stars Elham Shahin, Amina Khalil, Ahmed Magdy, Mahmoud el Leithy among others.
Curfew is a joint production between Red Star Films, S Productions, Team One Productions, and The Cell Post-production.
The film had its world premiere in the official competition at the 42nd edition of Cairo International Film Festival and Ilham Chahine also won the Best Actress award. It has also screened in other festivals like Jerusalem Arab Film Festival and Pune International Film Festival India.
Just as we go to press, Dubai-based distributor Advanced Media has inaugurated its brand-new showroom. After starting its operations at Al Khaleej Centre back in 2003 and gradually expanding from one office to many in the mall, the distributor has made a bold and ambitious move to the more expensive Sheikh Zayed Road.
According to Advanced Media’s owner, Kaveh Farman, business has never been better and has returned to what it was in 2016. He says his sales for RED cameras have gone up. Without enough Komodos in supply, he had a back order of more than a hundred the last time I spoke to him. He says there has also been a lot of interest in DJI drones, ARRI cameras and other production is ramping up in the region.
In the meantime, deployments may have been slower than usual but they have still been executed during this time.
Covid-19, for instance, didn’t stop Bahrain’s Ministry of Information Affairs (MIA) from forging ahead with its broadcast organisations in the GCC have been cautions about investing in new projects, the MIA has gone into full gear with a number of tenders aimed at getting its radio and TV operations ready for a digital future.
After spending a whopping $6.5m on refurbishing its entire radio facility and migrating it to a digital ecosystem as part of phase 1, the Ministry is gearing up for a state-of-the-art news facility, 40% of which is complete. Interestingly, unlike in the past, the MIA is also keen to monetise some parts at its radio facility to rent out to third parties. It also intends to auction frequencies for players who want to run private radio stations.
Likewise, OSN chose this period to revamp its streaming app and MBC has transformed a well-known Adel Ibrahim play from black-and-white to colour, claiming this as a first in the Arab world. Some of these regional case studies will be discussed as part of our virtual BroadcastPro Tech Summit on June 14 and 15. Please do register to attend.
Viasat Inc. has signed a Ka-band capacity lease agreement with Avanti Communications Group plc (Avanti) to provide additional coverage and capacity across the Middle East and Western Europeahead of its ViaSat-3 global constellation.
Viasat and Avanti have a long-standing relationship, having signed prior Ka-band capacity lease agreements. This new agreement augments Viasat’s KA-SAT satellite coverage and capacity and will initially be leveraged to serve new mobility customers in the region.
Commenting on the agreement, Kyle Whitehill, CEO of Avanti, said: “We are delighted to extend our relationship with Viasat and provide them support in the delivery of broadband connectivity across Europe and the Middle East. In-flight connectivity, in particular, is a high growth segment for satellite connectivity, and will serve Viasat well, enabling them to offer seamless connectivity capabilities across geographies.”
Jimmy Dodd, president, Viasat Global Enterprise and Mobility added: “In working with Avanti, we can bring additional short-term capacity to the mobility and enterprise markets, enabling us to serve more customers, win new business and establish deeper market presence and penetration ahead of our ViaSat-3 satellite launch aimed over Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).”
Viasat plans to leverage Avanti’s HYLAS 4 and HYLAS 2 satellites beginning in October 2021.
The MENA region has long been a unique broadcasting environment, with more than 1,100 free-to-air channels available, offering almost unlimited choice. They are primarily broadcast via satellite, by far the leading distribution platform here. This is reinforced in a study undertaken by Arabsat, one of the leading satellite operators in the Arab world, with a strong presence across the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
In the GCC, 88% of homes use satellite services provided by Arabsat, with at least 7.6m homes getting their TV this way. There has also been great success in Saudi Arabia, where it is the first choice for more than 5.25m households.
Arabsat also leads in Irans broadcast space. The satellite operator has access to 97% of the Iranian TV market, which totals around 22.34m satellite-connected homes.
While the Gulf region has a very high uptake of HD set-top boxes (75%), at least 56% of MENA viewers have HD receivers and at least 21% have replaced their receivers in the last year. This impressive growth has led HD to become a mass market service, with satellite leading and seamlessly enabling the best picture quality across the whole region.
Viasat Inc. has signed a Ka-band capacity lease agreement with Avanti Communications Group plc (Avanti) to provide additional coverage and capacity across the Middle East and Western Europeahead of its ViaSat-3 global constellation.