SES announced today that it has signed a capacity and uplink agreement with Netherlands-based Scope Media TV for the free-to-air distribution of African Television (AFTV) via Astra’s 23.5 degrees East orbital position (12,168 MHz vertical polarization).
Supported by various African broadcasters and embassies, AFTV aims to promote Africa, ranging from culture and lifestyle to business and current affairs. AFTV will use the Astra distribution for both direct-to-home (DTH) broadcasting and delivery to cable and IPTV operators throughout Europe. AFTV will commence its Astra 23.5 East transmissions on 1 April 2012.
Larry Omodia, Director of Operations at AFTV: “Africa is in many respects a beautiful continent, undergoing a very rapid economic development. Our aim is to show and demonstrate this to as many people outside Africa as possible. The launch of a dedicated television channel is therefore a logical step. We have selected SES as our satellite distribution partner in Europe because of its high quality distribution and wide European household reach. Moreover, SES demonstrated a strong belief and support towards our mission and vision.”
Bill Wijdeveld, Managing Director, Astra Benelux, said: “We are delighted to distribute AFTV via our satellite system. As worldwide operating satellite company, we have been active in Africa for years and see this as a highly dynamic and promising market. We fully support AFTV in its goal to promote Africa in the rest of the world and look forward to the launch of this new channel.”
(Source: SES)
on Mar 10th, 2012 at 21:47
I can’t wait to see the African TV in the Netherlands. That is what African Diasporas need now today communicate faster within Africans in Europe and beyond. It is absolutely time. I’m the chairman of the Africa media practitioners in the Diaspora and I also chair World African Diaspora (WADU EURO ZONE) http://www.wadupam-europe.org
One of the major issues we discuss in WADU is how to bring an African TV in the Netherlands that will promote African media, culture and african Edutainment.
I would like to start a program I have created for the African Diaspora on AFTV.
on Mar 17th, 2012 at 19:04
What a blessing having Africa Tv born! This is such a logical step as it is geared towards exposing Africa’s diverse culture, economy, politics, wildlife, the way of life generally among other intruiging aspects to the world.In other words, bringing the Television network into being will in someway bridge the gap between Africa and the rest of the world. I can’t wait to be apart of this journey.
May God bless Africa.