More Innovative Partnerships On The Way For Etisalat’s Internet TV Solution

EtisalatEtisalat revealed to ITP.net that more innovative partnerships are in the pipeline for their recently launched internet television solution, which gives broadcasters and content owners the ability to upload content onto Etisalat’s network.

Etisalat’s IPTV solution was officially launched on September 10th through a partnership with MBC to enable online viewing of the top nine programmes being aired by MBC during the month of Ramadan.

“This service is relatively new to the region. Our alliance with MBC is also a test of the popularity this service might gain in the future,” said Khalifa Al Shamsi, vice president of marketing, consumer & SMB at Etisalat.

“Already, we have a lot of such exciting and innovative partnerships in the pipeline, which we will disclose in the coming months,” he added.

Etisalat believes that the reach of this technology is not just limited to the UAE, as it presents an opportunity to cater to a global audience. However, content providers can easily add restrictions on exactly who can access the content.

“While the platform has the ability to geographically block users that come from certain parts of the world, imposing any such restrictions is left to the discretion of producers and owners of the content since they are the ones who control what content should be shown and who should be able to access it,” said Al Shamsi.

# Source: ITP.net

Etisalat Ties Up With MBC To Launch Internet TV From The UAE

EtisalatEtisalat just announced the launch of ‘Internet TV’ in association with MBC Group, to provide television content over the Internet. The company tied up with MBC to enable online viewing of the top nine programmes being aired by MBC during the month of Ramadan through the satellite and mobile TV. MBC began using the Etisalat ‘Internet TV’ beginning Wednesday 10 September 2008 on their mbc.net portal.

A first such initiative in the region, the Internet TV will change the way broadcasters showcase content and customers view content. Internet TV will enable hundreds of millions of MBC viewers around the world to view their favorite programmes online, in case they missed them when they were aired or simply want to watch them again. The customers can select the videos from the website and watch the programme online, at no charge.

Commenting on the launch, Essa Al Haddad, Chief Marketing Officer, Etisalat said: “Etisalat has always endeavored to leverage technology and convergence to provide a unique experience and unlimited reach to its customers. We believe that Internet TV will not only create a paradigm shift in the way broadcasters showcase content and customers view content, it will also create a new customer segments of the future: the online customer, the mobile customer and the interactive customer. I do foresee new business avenues opening up for broadcasters and content providers to create unique content catering to these diverse customer segments and providing them the best of what they require.”

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Talfazat: Online Streaming Of Live And On-Demand Arabic TV Content

TalfazatJumpTV and NeuLion, two leading providers of live and on-demand international and sports programming over the Internet, whose merger is pending apporval, just announced the launch of a new online service under the name of “Talfazat“, that delivers a large selection of live and on-demand Arabic television content.

Talfazat.com offers Arabs worldwide an opportunity to tune into their favorite live television channels or on-demand programs with a simple Internet connection. It features more than 35 of the most popular channels and thousands of hours of video-on-demand from leading Arabic content providers including Dubai TV, LBC, Aljazeera News, Aljazeera English, Rotana, Future TV, New TV, 2M and many others.

Talfazat.com is a subscription-based service that provides streaming of content to computers and laptops affording users one central place to access leading Arabic-language entertainment. The website displays a customized user experience, easy navigation, superior video quality and a comprehensive selection of popular content from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Talfazat

This online video network has been launched in conjunction with Ramadan, a holy month in the Islamic calendar. Talfazat offers over 800 hours of the most popular Ramadan shows and series.

Talfazat has exclusive IPTV rights to stream television programming to viewers globally and many of the channels are not offered anywhere else. In the coming months, Talfazat plans to launch a set-top-box that will allow viewers to watch live and on-demand content on the television in addition to the computer. Talfazat will be a multi-platform Arabic service.

Talfazat Packages range from US$15 to US$25 per month, depending on the plan, with offers for longer subscription periods. A Ramadan Promotion sees them offering one month free when a three month plan is purchased.

# Talfazat