YahLive reaches 40 HD channels
October 3, 2012
By Chris Forrester
YahLive, the Abu Dhabi-owned HDTV service broadcasting over the Middle East, is now carrying more than 40 HDTV channels. On October 3 it added Russia Today’s English-language and Arabic (Rusiya Al-Yaum) channels, both in HD. SES-Astra has a significant stake in the service, and is responsible for marketing the satellite’s capacity.
The 40+ channels means that the service is now the region’s market-leader in terms of the number of high-def channels carried. Mohamed Youssif, YahLive’s CEO, in a press release said: “The addition of these two acclaimed channels further strengthens the position of YahLive as the hotspot for High Definition television in the region. We’re selecting channel partners based on the quality of their programming and the multi-cultural mix of our audience across the region. For example, Russia Today is the second most-watched foreign news channel in the United States.”
“High Definition is the future of television and, because we have the capacity and engineering infrastructure, YahLive can offer the future today. The range of channels available on the platform also means that there is something for everyone,” added Youssif.
Margarita Simonyan, RT’s editor in chief, stated that: “We are delighted to extend our reach across the Middle East and North Africa with YahLive. RT’s viewers in the region are already dedicated and engaged, and we’re excited that now we can further enrich their viewing experience by delivering our best programming in HD, bringing the intensity of the frontline to their living rooms.”