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C21 Media
October 29, 2002

Subscription video-on-demand services are arriving in the Middle East for the first time, as LuxSat ME begins rolling out its interactive SVoD service into 17 territories including Iraq, Libya and Saudi Arabia.

"We are bringing a unique service to the market," said LuxSat ME's ceo, Dr Mohamed Osama. "This is the first time SVoD services will be available in this region."

The digital platform delivers encrypted broadband audio and video content to paying subscribers' set-top boxes, dubbed LuxStations, via satellite dishes or cable networks. The system allows subscribers to stock up to 150 hours of programming in the LuxStation, downloaded according to their own pre-selected profile, with full VCR functionality.

"Our unique innovations include being the only system that has solved the problem of bandwidth in VoD," continued Osama. "With LuxSat technology, the required bandwidth is independent of the number of end-users."

LuxSat has inked several deals for SVoD rights to programming, including with US-based Federal Hill Communications. Under the deal, Federal Hill will oversee all negotiations with the Hollywood studios for TV and film programming. LuxSat ME, part of France-based LuxSat International, has also picked up 100 hours from Federal Hill's VoD catalogue.

"The Middle East is known for piracy," said Federal Hill's president Bethany Gorfine. "DVD titles just released in the US usually appear in the Middle East within weeks. This has been addressed by LuxSat's system, which offers a safe and secure medium to supply Hollywood content to paid subscribers."

The service and the LuxStations are rolling out to selected VIPs and businessmen across the region, with a full commercial launch due early in the New Year. Luxsat services are due to roll out into Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Qatar and Yemen.

Ed Waller
29 Oct 2002
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