Egypt’s Ministry of Information has officially launched the first interactive pay-per-view movie service for the Middle East. Broadcasting out of Cairo, the 10 channel Home Cinema service is available to Showtime subscribers throughout the Middle East from NileSat, the Egyptian owned and operated satellite, stated a press release.
The launch follows an agreement between Showtime and NileSat for satellite transponder capacity. The service offers Showtime subscribers the earliest television broadcast dates for a range of blockbuster English language and Arabic movies with a film starting every 30 minutes. Each month Home Cinema will offer subscribers around 15 early release movies, scheduled at prime broadcast times.
“We have long term pay-TV rights deals with the biggest film studios, including Colombia Tri-Star and Paramount Pictures. We have also recently reached agreement to carry 20th Century Fox productions,” stated Showtime president, Peter Einstein.
Nilesat was established in 1996, for the purpose of operating satellites and their associated ground control station and up-linking facilities. Nilesat 101 has been in orbit since 1998 and Nilesat 102 has been in orbit since 2000. Their services include digital television and radio broadcasting, multimedia services, data broadcasting services and newsgathering.
With an issued capital of $170 million, Nilesat is 40 percent owned by the Egyptian Radio and Television Union and nine percent owned by the Egyptian Company for Investment Projects. The rest of the company’s shares are divided between various banks and public share holders. — (menareport.com)
© 2002 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
