By Stuart Thomson
SAWA Rights Management (SAWA), the service provider to the MENA pay TV industry has struck a multi-year agreement with satellite operator SES to deliver TV channels to commercial properties in the hospitality sector across the MENA region.
SAWA will use MonacoSAT, a satellite located at 52° East, to distribute the first 14 channels that are licensed by regional and international providers as well as more than 20 channels from Fox, Rotana and other channels currently available on the same satellite location.
“Our agreement with SES plays a key role in further expanding our services into the MENA region targeting IPTV, OTT and cable platforms as well as commercial properties such as hotels, hospitals, restaurants and cafés. Thanks to the partnership with SES, known for the unparalleled reach and reliability of service they deliver globally via prime orbital positions, we are now able to efficiently expand our territory to cover the full Middle East and North Africa Region,” said CEO of SAWA, Ali Ajouz.
“We are delighted to partner with SAWA, a well-known player in the market, and enable them to expand their service throughout the region. Not only will their customers receive access to high-quality content, they can also count on the best-in-class broadcast service we provide,” said Vice President of EMEA, Video Sales at SES, Hakan Sjodin.
Separately, OTT and FAST Channels provider OTTera has partnered with SAWA) to pair its local channel rights and advertising connections with OTTera’s OTT and FAST channel services.
OTTera, which has recently moved into Brazil and China with key business partnerships in the LATAM and Asian continents, said it was following the increased demand for ad-supported OTT channels around the world by pushing into areas with changing demographics and viewership habits.
SAWA’s TV channel distribution business reaches the main IPTV and OTT platforms and over 750 commercial properties across the MENA region. SAWA also holds international rights to over 40 TV channels which are currently being licensed to both commercial properties and consumer platforms worldwide.
“OTTera remains committed to increasing our global reach to support the goals of both our content and platform partners. Taking this step with SAWA Rights Management furthers our existing relationship over the past 3 years and cements OTTera’s commitment to being a part of the emerging FAST market in the MENA region.” said COO of OTTera Inc, Steven Rifkin,.
“Our agreement with OTTera will introduce a new era in TV entertainment across the MENA region. An era that offers viewers free access to local and international premium entertainment whilst adding a new digital advertising revenue stream to TV Networks on our platform” said SAWA’s Ajouz.
“Our lineup of channels will be launched as part of an app in both iOS and Android app stores as well as a wide range of Smart TV app stores.”
