(Illustration)
Photo: Index Open
Cable readies to launch Arabic channel
Hot, Yes reach deal with Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council on new language-designated channel
The Cable and Satellite Broadcasting Council and Israel's
two main cable companies, Hot Cable Communication and Yes Satellite have come to an agreement that would enable the two to launch a language-designated channel in Arabic.
The agreement followed months of negotiations and a franchisee tender, won by Hala TV.
Ratings
Malaysia talent contest aims to find best female preachers, clerics to serve as judges
The channel is slated to be launched by the end of March, on both companies channel 30. It will join the companies' existing Arabic-language channels package and will also be available for the viewed of Idan+.
Idan+ is a digital terrestrial transmission network, which allows users who choose not to subscribe to any of the cable companies to receive Israel’s free-to-air channels – 1, 2, 10, 33 and 99.
The franchise has been put in place for 10 years. Its performance will be reviewed in four years. The channel will feature original productions as well as syndicated programs, all of which will be in Arabic.
Hala TV is expected to invest NIS 4 million ($1.06 million) a year in the channel in the first two years, NIS 6 million ($1.59) in the third year, and NIS 8 million ($2.21 million) in year four and on. The company has pledged to increase its investment in the channel by 10% each year.
