Just two years after its launch and as part of its strategy to reach every Iraqi home, Iraqi satellite network Alsumaria TV (12130.26 MHz, Nilesat) has announced the beginning of terrestrial broadcasts in Iraq. The move makes Alsumaria TV the first terrestrial digital network in the region.
The implementation plan is based on two consecutive phases: the first includes the installation of terrestrial sites for Baghdad and Al-Anbar provinces, and the second will cover the provinces of Karbala, Basrah, Mosul and Irbil. Terrestrial broadcasting in the Baghdad region was launched on January 15, 2007, with radius of 120 km. In Al-Anbar, terrestrial broadcasts will be operational by June 2007, with a radius of 105 km.
Equipment production has already begun for Phase Two, and construction is scheduled to start in June 2007. This phase will last until the end of this year. At the end of Phase Two, 95 per cent of Iraqi territory will be covered by Alsumaria terrestrial broadcasts.
Alsumaria is an independent Iraqi TV network established in September 2004 and assembles today a highly skilled team of 450 employees working across Iraq, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates and Jordan. Alsumaria TV broadcasts 24/7. More than 25 hours of its weekly programmeare produced in-house in Alsumaria’s own studios. The TV programming line-up focuses on entertainment, culture, politics and news in addition to social programmes and live shows hosted by an Iraqi youth team.
(Source: albawaba.com)
