Globecast and Arabsat launch TV Everywhere service

Khalid Balkhayour

Content contribution, management and distribution provider and TV Connect exhibitor Globecast and Middle East satellite operator Arabsat have teamed up to launch Arabsat TV Everywhere, a new multi-platform OTT TV service with live streams of the best Arabic channels.

The service is powered by Globecast’s OTT Live solution. Arabsat TV Everywhere is an expansion of the existing Global Arabic Bouquet (GAB), a grouping of premium Arabic channels from the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU). The new service, which is available to watch for free in most territories worldwide on PC as well as iOS and Android smartphones and tablets, will enable more people to view the content the GAB has to offer, according to the pair.

Globecast, which has been Arabsat and the ASBU’s partner for the worldwide distribution of the GAB since 2004, designed and developed the complete TV everywhere service. The platform includes content preparation, content management, application design and development, delivery and a player.

Since the launch of their partnership, Globecast, Arabsat and ASBU have expanded the Global Arabic Bouquet’s potential viewership and footprint, offering a single global coverage to ASBU members. Arabic language channels are now able to join the bouquet and reach viewers on all five continents free to air.

Giorgio Giacomini, managing director Globecast Middle East said: “This is a very exciting development in our relationship with Arabsat and the ASBU. Arabsat’s decision to make many channels of the GAB available on smartphones and tablets reflects the growing desire of audiences around the world to consume content when and where they want. Because of this we have carefully designed our solutions to provide both technical and business acumen allowing our customers to easily expand with innovative new OTT services while concentrating on what they do best: create and develop world-class content.”

Khalid Balkheyour, Arabsat president and CEO, said: “The world of OTT service delivery is one that’s growing rapidly. You only have to look at the growth in the sale of connected devices to see why. Globecast has always provided us with excellent distribution services and we are very pleased to announce the extension of our partnership.”