Cc image courtesy of geograph.org.uk
Azam Media will launch its new TV venture AzamTV into Sub-Saharan Africa, starting in East Africa, from its base Tanzania at the end of the month, following a long term contract for capacity signed with Eutelsat.
Azam Media will use the 108MHz capacity connected to Eutelsat’s 7A satellite for its broadcasting that will support more than 55 African and international channels for a monthly subscription of US$8.
The platform will also include three home-grown channels, Azam One, Azam Two and Sinema Zetu (films in Kiswahili).
It will also broadcast live and recorded Tanzania Premier League matches and carry the top free-to-air channels in each of the countries it covers.
Rhys Torrington, chief executive officer (CEO) of Azam Media, said: “The arrival of AzamTV as a trans-continental pay-TV platform finally marks the availability of affordable and high-quality digital channels for viewers in Tanzania and way beyond.
“With the footprint and the services provided by Eutelsat we benefit from a solid platform and unrivalled DTH experience that will help transform into reality our vision of delivering exceptional entertainment at a great price into ordinary TV homes across the region.”
AzamTV will be compressed in MPEG4 and uplinked by Eutelsat to 7A from its Cagliari teleport in Sardinia.
In addition to capacity and uplink services, Eutelsat has developed a training programme for installers called ‘Satëlite’ to ensure subscribers to AzamTV receive the best service for the installation of their DTH equipment.
So far, the ‘Satëlite’ team has successfully trained more than 500 installers from Tanzania.
Jean-François Leprince-Ringuet, Eutelsat’s chief commercial officer, said: “We are delighted to forge this new relationship with a leading Tanzanian company poised to accelerate East Africa’s transition to digital and offer viewers the dual benefits of increased choice and exceptional signal quality.
“The African footprint and power of Eutelsat 7A combined with our knowledge of building audience reach and installer training will support this exciting new venture in Africa’s dynamic broadcasting market.”
