BBC Monitoring
Text of BBC press release on 4 September
The BBC has teamed up with Arabsat to distribute its new Arabic TV channel to the satellite provider's 164 million viewers in the Middle East, Southern Mediterranean and Europe via Arabsat Badr-4 at 26 degree East.
Khalid Balkheyour, Arabsat President and CEO says: "Arabsat already enjoys a very good relationship with BBC World Service. We have worked closely with them to launch satellite distribution of both the popular BBC Arabic radio and BBC English news radio services in recent years. We appreciate their trust in our satellites to deliver this exciting new TV channel to viewers in the region."
Jerry Timmins, Head of Africa and Middle East Region, BBC World Service, adds: "The BBC is a well known in the region for its news and information on radio and online and with the launch of a free to air Arabic TV channel later this year the BBC will reach even more people. I am delighted Arabsat is going to play this important role in helping to distribute t! he BBC's Arabic TV programmes to millions across the region."
Source: BBC press release, London, in English 4 Sep 07