SES launches Ebola channel

Satellite services company SES is beaming an educational channel designed to help educate people in West Africa about the Ebola virus, across the region.

Fight Ebola will be beamed into pay TV and free-to-air DTH homes as parts of West Africa continue to deal with the worst-ever outbreak of the deadly virus.

The channel helps spread the message about protecting against Ebola and will give viewers a greater understanding of the virus with content endorsed by the Luxembourg Ministry of Health and contributions from groups including UNICEF, Doctors Without Borders (MSF), and End Ebola Now.

There will also be endorsements and appeals from British Premier League football players including Didier Drogba, John Obi Mikel, Samuel Eto’o and Emmanuel Adebayor.

“Many people do not understand this disease and therefore, tragically, do not seek the medical care they need,” said Ibrahima Guimba-Saidou, senior VP, commercial Africa at SES.

In related news, Discovery Networks UK has commissioned a one-off doc about the deadly virus, Ebola Exposed (pictured). A copro between Discovery and Sky Vision, the fast-turnaround doc will look at the science behind the virus that has killed thousands of people in West Africa.

David Morrissey (The Walking Dead) narrates the doc, which is billed as ‘an all-you-need to know film’ about Ebola.

Dan Korn, senior VP & head of programming, Discovery Networks Western Europe, ordered the special, which will go out on November 22. He said: “Discovery is dedicated to providing new scientific insight into domestic and international events. Ebola Exposed does exactly this, uncovering brand new scientific research about this virulent disease from those at the forefront of the fight against it”.