Arab Media Corporation to pioneer new service with ANT

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Hybrid solution for leading satellite operator

CAMBRIDGE, UK — Arab Media Corporation, the major Arab Satellite TV operator and owner of Arab Radio and Television (ART), has announced that it will use the ANT Galio Browser and ANT Galio Core Applications for its new service which is set to roll out across 26 countries in the Middle East and North Africa. ANT plc (Reuters: ANTP.L, Bloomberg: ANTP.LN), the supplier of software and services to the digital TV industry is working directly with the tier one TV operator to develop hybrid next generation TV services and applications which are expected to launch in 2010.

The project, which includes the licensing of ANT Galio Browser and ANT Galio Core Applications, gives Arab Media Corporation a platform to grow their existing service and provide a variety of new multimedia services supported by hybrid set-top boxes (STBs). The planned feature upgrades include an Electronic Program Guide (EPG), Personal Video Recorder (PVR), Video on Demand (VoD), zapper functionality as well as incorporating pushed advertising for the first time. The service will have an entirely new look and feel designed by Arab Media Corporation and implemented by ANT. The ANT architecture also enables the re-design and re-skinning of services on deployed STBs as and when desired after the initial launch of the service, an important capability in this programme.

“Not only is it important for us to build a compelling new service but also to have a solution that can continue to grow. ANT, with its standards based software architecture, is at the forefront of delivering next generation services and applications,” said Alan Constant, CTO at Arab Media Corporation. “We are looking beyond what the market is currently demanding to the types of services that consumers will want next year and in future years.”

“We’re excited to be working with this leading satellite operator to bring new services to the Middle East and North African markets at a time when rapid growth is forecasted in these regions,” said Simon Woodward, CEO at ANT. “This agreement is a significant milestone for ANT. By working directly with an operator such as Arab Media Corporation we’re able to offer ANT’s considerable experience in TV service development and deployment in a partnership which can have a major influence on the evolution of TV services.”