CABSAT 2012 – DUBAI. Al Jazeera has signed a new capacity contract with Eutelsat to expand its coverage over Africa.
The broadcaster is leasing capacity on the Eutelsat 7 West A satellite (formerly Atlantic Bird 7) located at 7 degrees West. It enables Al Jazeera to extend coverage across North West Africa to Morocco and as far as Nigeria.
Broadcasts have already begun, with nine channels operational, including the flagship Al Jazeera news channels in Arabic and English, as well as documentary, children’s and sports channels.
In service since October 2011, the Eutelsat 7 West A satellite has strengthened Eutelsat’s commercial response to broadcasters operating across the Middle East and North Africa. The satellite’s widebeam delivers unmatched performance and coverage into over 30 million homes, while the new North-West Africa footprint opens the opportunity for channels to further consolidate their reach.
The 7 degrees West neighbourhood assembles the largest community of satellite TV channels in the Middle East and North Africa. Channels grew by 35% in 2011, reflecting the dynamic of free-to-air and pay-TV, which represent 80% and 20% of the 822 Arab and international channels broadcast by the five satellites operated at 7 degrees West by Eutelsat and Nilesat.
