Abu Dhabi HDTV and more info...

ASBU TO LAUNCH ARABIC PACKAGE WORLDWIDE
Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU) is planning to
expand its reach by launching a bundle of 10 Arabic
channels worldwide, most likely on the France
Telecom-owned satellite platform Globecast. ASBU is
hoping to follow one of its members, Abu Dhabi TV,
into Globecast's World TV package, which takes the
channel into subscriber homes in the US. Five
platforms were invited to bid for the contract for
ASBU channel distribution but Globecast was considered
to be the strongest contender. Abu Dhabi TV is
currently investing $17.5 million in a new studio in
preparation for the switch to high definition
broadcasting. Members of the ASBU include Algeria,
Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and United Arab
Emirates.


GLOBECAST DISTRIBUTES 2M MAROC
Leading satellite services company GlobeCast announced
on April 2 the delivery of Moroccan television channel
2M Maroc to Africa via its digital satellite
television platform on NSS 7. GIobeCast - a subsidiary
of France Telecom - operates a global network of
satellite distribution platforms for broadcast and
advanced content delivery. Since March 1 GlobeCast has
been providing 2M with end-to-end channel distribution
including transmission, multiplexing and space
capacity. GlobeCast receives the feed in Casablanca
and delivers the signal via Telecom 2D to its Serte
technical operations center in Paris. From the Serte,
2M Maroc is inserted into GlobeCast’s channel
multiplex and uplinked to NSS 7 at 22°W for C-band
distribution over Africa. A powerful satellite for DTH
and cable distribution, NSS 7 boasts an established
international community of programmers including CNN,
EuroNews and Canal France International’s
French-language bouquet LeSat. 2M is the
second-largest television channel in Morocco, offering
24/7 programming in both French and Arabic. Its lineup
includes news programs, documentary features,
children’s entertainment and cultural programs as well
as the latest sporting events.