Gulfsat expands business with Eutelsat. New capacity contract on EUTELSAT 8 West A to serve Middle East broadcast markets

13 June 2012

Eutelsat Communications and Gulfsat, announced the signature of a new contract for capacity on Eutelsat's EUTELSAT 8 West A satellite at 8 degrees West. With this new multi-year lease, Gulfsat's fourth transponder with Eutelsat, the Kuwaiti operator is securing long-term access to satellite resources with premium reach over the Middle East.

Gulfsat already broadcasts more than 40 flagship TV channels from EUTELSAT 8 West A, including MBC Group's Al Arabiya news channel and Al Arabiya Al Hadath. The additional resources will support further growth at a key reference for Direct-to-Home broadcasting across the Middle East.

Mustafa Mourad, Chief Operating Officer of Gulfsat declared: "We are delighted to pursue our longstanding relationship with Eutelsat that over our five years of collaboration has shown its total commitment to helping Gulfsat grow our broadcast business through high-quality satellite resources. We look forward to further strengthening of viewer choice from EUTELSAT 8 West A".

Jean-François Leprince-Ringuet, Eutelsat Communications Chief Commercial Officer, said: "This new contract adds further weight to the strong partnerships that Eutelsat nurtures with key players across the Middle East. It opens the door to further development of premium broadcast channels at the 8° West platform whose proximity to our 7° West neighbourhood facilitates Direct-to-Home reception of over 540 TV channels."