ARABSAT and etisalat have announced a partnership to introduce a new satellite television package across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), offering broadcasters a shared platform to deliver television channels directly to households throughout the region.
Under the agreement, television signals will be transmitted from etisalat’s TAS Earth Station in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, to ARABSAT’s BADR-8 satellite, positioned at 26.0 degrees East.
The satellite will distribute the channels directly to homes equipped with compatible satellite reception systems, enabling broadcasters to reach audiences across the region through a centralised distribution platform.
However, the companies have not disclosed which television channels will be included in the package or confirmed an official launch date.
Partnership to Simplify Satellite Broadcasting Services
The agreement is designed to streamline satellite television distribution by bringing several broadcasting operations together under a single service provider.
Etisalat will oversee signal reception, aggregation, encoding where required, and uplinking transmissions to the BADR-8 satellite.
The telecommunications company will also manage and monitor broadcasting operations from its Sharjah ground station, helping ensure reliable signal delivery.
The shared infrastructure will allow multiple broadcasters to use the same satellite distribution platform rather than relying on separate transmission arrangements.
Saud M. Almadhi, Chief Commercial Officer at ARABSAT, said the partnership would help the company serve several customers through a unified platform while improving infrastructure efficiency.
He added that the arrangement would create opportunities for recurring revenue and sustainable business growth while delivering greater value to broadcasting customers.
ARABSAT and etisalat Eye Advanced Satellite Solutions
Beyond traditional satellite television distribution, the partnership is expected to support the development of additional broadcasting and connectivity services.
Nabil Baccouche, Group Chief Carrier and Wholesale Officer at etisalat, said the collaboration would provide a foundation for future innovation, including advanced content contribution, distribution services and hybrid satellite-terrestrial solutions.
These technologies could help broadcasters and media companies combine satellite transmission with terrestrial communications networks to meet changing industry requirements.
Baccouche described the BADR-8 television package as an important step in expanding etisalat’s space business and strengthening its satellite service offerings.
He said combining etisalat’s ground station infrastructure and operational expertise with ARABSAT’s regional satellite coverage would create a more integrated platform for broadcasters, service providers and satellite partners.
The collaboration is also expected to enhance service resilience by providing satellite-based distribution capabilities across the MENA region.
Expanding Television Distribution Across MENA
The partnership reflects continued investment in satellite broadcasting infrastructure as media companies seek reliable and efficient ways to distribute content across multiple markets.
ARABSAT’s BADR-8 satellite will serve as the primary broadcasting platform, while etisalat’s TAS Earth Station will handle the technical operations required to deliver television signals.
By combining their respective capabilities, the two companies aim to simplify broadcasting arrangements, improve infrastructure utilisation and expand satellite distribution opportunities for regional and international media providers.
Further information about participating television channels, commercial availability and the official launch schedule is expected to be announced separately.
