Growing Orbit rises as Saudis OK dishes
Arabic channels, viewers increase, company bows 'Net portal
The sub count is expected to increase further in the coming months following the recent lifting of a satellite dish ban in Saudi Arabia and the signing of an agreement April 26 with Egyptian authorities to distribute digital technology in that market.
In May 1999 Orbit made new transponders on Arabsat 3A operational, strengthening its signal over a wider area, bringing additional channel capacity and enabling the satcaster to reach an estimated 22 million households.
“These are exciting and momentous chapters in our company’s life cycle,” Orbit president and CEO Alexander Zilo said. “The Arab world is now witnessing the early hours of the rebirth of Orbit, the deployment of ancillary entertainment services geared to solidifying our group’s position as a dynamic and forward-thinking media company.”
Multilingual portal
Along with the recent introduction of new Arabic channels as part of the Orbit bouquet, company has launched multilingual Internet portal Orbit.net, securing a foothold for the company in the areas of Internet delivery, content generation, service provision and e-commerce.
Orbit also has renewed long-term agreements with key program suppliers, including U.S. majors, and has announced plans to launch 10 pay-per-view channels later this year.
