Rebecca Hawkes
Ethiopia’s Information Network Security Agency (INSA) has launched its Ethiosat satellite TV platform with nine national channels, thanks to a multi-year agreement with Eutelsat.
The partnership provides capacity at Eutelsat’s 7/8° West neighbourhood, serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Ethiopia’s national satellite TV sector currently comprises more than 30 channels that broadcast from multiple satellites. The new platform offers licensed channels the opportunity to broadcast from a single platform, ensuring easy reception for TV homes across the country and accelerating digital take-up, according to a statement.
The first broadcasters on the platform include free-to-air networks Ethiopian Broadcasting Corporation (EBC) and Oromia TV. INSA expects a range of national, regional and commercial broadcasters to be added to the Ethiosat platform in the future.
“This contract puts Eutelsat 8 West B firmly on Ethiopia’s broadcasting map and is indicative of a new wave of growth in the country’s digital TV market. The pull of our 7/8° West neighbourhood is driven by a strong channel line-up of over 1,200 channels and the diversity and exclusivity of free-to-air content,” said Michel Azibert, chief commercial and development officer, Eutelsat .
Gebremeskel Teklemariam, directorate director at INSA, added: “Ethiosat will be a game-changer for our media landscape. In drawing on the rich experience and expertise of Eutelsat, INSA can broadcast a diverse line-up of services across Ethiopia, further enriching the 7/8° West satellite neighbourhood with quality and compelling content.
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