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The Tunisian Office National de Télédiffusion (ONT), the national broadcasting corporation, has signed a multi-year contract with Eutelsat Communications, headquartered in Paris, France, to broadcast its new subscription-free TV platform across North and West Africa. ONT has selected the EUTELSAT 7 West-A satellite to reach viewers across the region.
The ONT, headquartered in Tunis, Tunisia, is consolidating around ten Tunisian channels in a single package at 7/8° West, North Africa’s leading satellite broadcasting neighbourhood. The initial channels being consolidated are Aljanoubia, Attassia, Elhiwar Ettounsi, m Tunisia, Telvza TV, Tunisna et la chaîne publique Nationale 1.
EUTELSAT 7 WEST-A has two beams providing coverage across the Middle East, including the Gulf States, as well as North Africa and North-West Africa.
The satellite broadcasts television and radio programmes in the Middle East and North Africa, consolidating Eutelsat’s position at 7° West within the 7/8° West neighbourhood. The strategic location of the 7/8° West orbital position is reinforced by the satellites of Eutelsat’s partner, the Egyptian operator Nilesat.
7/8° West is situated in a prime broadcasting position in the Middle East and North Africa with nearly 900 TV channels on Eutelsat and Nilesat satellites broadcast to more than 52 million households.
EUTELSAT 7 West-A’s footprint also enables the ONT to extend its reach to West Africa. Homes and other buildings equipped with a satellite dish pointing to 7/8° West will be able to access improved image quality and easier navigation of the channels in the platform.
Nôomên Elfehri, Tunisia’s Minister of Communication Technologies and Digital Economy, stated that, “The launch of this national project is a vehicle for Tunisia’s sovereignty in the field of broadcasting. Viewers will be able to enjoy a diversified and quality line-up of Tunisian content.”
Dhaker Baccouch, Chairman and CEO of the ONT, added that, “In selecting the EUTELSAT 7 West-A satellite, we are providing viewers with improved image quality and we are equipped to scale up our new platform with further channels.”
Michel Azibert, Eutelsat’s Chief Commercial and Development Officer, concluded that, “With this new contract the ONT is strengthening its portfolio of capacity on Eutelsat, adding to resources already leased on three of our satellites, EUTELSAT 12 West-B, HOT BIRD and EUTELSAT 36B, for newsgathering and broadcasting to the general public.”
