Algerian deal for Eutelsat

Transmission services provider Télédiffusion d’Algérie has chosen Eutelsat’s 7 West A satellite to extend the reach of Algerian TV and radio channels across North Africa and the Middle East.

Télédiffusion d’Algérie has taken a 72MHz transponder on the satellite at the 7°/8° West position to deliver Algeria’s existing public channels as well as new channels expected to launch as the country  opens up its TV business to private investors.

The channels will be available via Eutelsat 7 West A to viewers across the Maghreb and North-West Africa. Their reach will be extended to the whole of the Middle East and the Persian Gulf with the launch in 2015 of the Eutelsat 8 West B satellite.

Abdelmalek Houyou, director general of TDA, said: “Over 15 years of close collaboration with Eutelsat, we have built a solid partnership which has been boosted in the last few years by a tremendous input of technical expertise to accompany Algeria’s transition to a digital broadcasting environment. This new agreement highlights Eutelsat’s commitment to providing solutions to our developing needs, both now and in the future. Our significant requirements are driven by the ambition to extend the availability of Algerian television and radio channels beyond Algeria and to prepare for the opening up of our broadcasting sector to private ventures.”