CABSAT 2012 – DUBAI. YahLive has entered into an exclusive partnership with Abu Dhabi Media to broadcast six of the latter’s channels in HD through YahLive’s satellite service, which broadcasts from the 52.5 degrees East slot.
YahLive is a 65/35 partnership between Yasat and SES and offers capacity on the Y1A satellite, which has been in commercial operation since December 2011.
Speaking exclusively to Broadband TV News, YahLive CEO Mohamed Youssif said that Y1A is effectively the world’s first all-HD satellite, carrying only native or up-scaled channels in the format.
It has 23 transponders and already distributes 30 channels.
Significantly, he added that YahLive allocates 8 Mbps per HD channel as opposed to the average of 3-4 by most other satellites in the region.
The focus is on both the quality of broadcast and quality of content, with broadcasters being offered the unique proposition of three beams that are cross-stripped, allowing for the uplink and downlink to be done from different locations.
Youssif also said that YahLive is targeting Arab expats in Europe with its European beam with the knowledge that they will only be offered family entertainment and no adult channels.
YahLive’s offer has included 3D channel since last month.
Although a second satellite will be launched in April, it will not be used for broadcasting.
The six new HD channels to be offered by YahLive will be Abu Dhabi Drama HD, Al Oula HD, Al Emarat HD, Abu Dhabi Sports 1 HD, Abu Dhabi Sports 2 HD and Nat Geo Arabic HD.
