Gulf viewers will get World Cup in Ultra-HD
March 11, 2014
By Chris Forrester
Es’HailSat, a new satellite operator broadcasting over the complete MENA region, expects to be carrying 4K/Ultra-HD signals during this summer’s Brazil FIFA World Cup tournament.
Es’Hail-1 went ‘live’ on March 11th with its anchor customer the Al Jazeera-backed beIN Sport cluster of channels, and it is beIN Sport which Es-HailSat’s CEO Ali Al Kuwari said he expected to show demonstration telecasts of the World Cup in 4K/Ultra-HDTV. Es-HailSat-1 transmits from 25.5/26 degrees East orbital position, alongside Arabsat.
“It will obviously be limited to the number of people who own 4K displays, but I also expect it to be shown in the shopping Malls, as well as in high-end retail stores,” said Al Kuwairi. “People need to see the difference it makes.”
Al Kuwari, speaking exclusively to Advanced-Television.com at the Washington 2014 Satellite Show, said he expected to be issuing a Request for Proposals (RFP) to the industry’s satellite builders for its second satellite, which he wanted to be ready for launch by the end of 2016.