Ericsson helps Image Nation Abu Dhabi to launch new Arabic-language TV channel

Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today announced that it has signed an exclusive multi-year broadcast and media services contract with Image Nation Abu Dhabi, one of the leading content creators based in the Middle East.

The contract includes playout, media preparation, media management and archive services for the new Arabic-language TV channel, Quest Arabiya, which is slated to launch in Q4 2015.

The free-to-air service, which will broadcast 24 hours a day across the Middle East and North Africa, is a partnership between Image Nation and the world’s number one pay TV programmer, Discovery Communications. Quest Arabiya will air a combination of regionally-produced original content along with factual and reality programs from Discovery’s vast library of non-fiction shows, localized for the Arab market.

Carl Von Doussa, General Manager of Channels at Image Nation, said: “Partnering with an industry leader like Ericsson will ensure that Quest Arabiya’s playout and content management operations are in good hands. The agreement is part of our outsourced model, meaning that while Ericsson provide this managed service the Quest Arabiya team can focus on their core expertise: delivering exciting and original Arabic programming across the entire region.

“Ericsson clearly has a great reputation globally and a proven track record of delivery, and we’re looking forward to working together to deliver great content to 45 million households across the MENA region. We are also pleased that we were able to support Ericsson’s growing hub in twofour54, Abu Dhabi, through this agreement.”

Rafiah Ibrahim, President Ericsson Region Middle East and East Africa, says: “Today we see the TV industry in the region witnessing this transformation with strong local and international broadcaster base. Our role is to help those broadcasters seize the opportunities of this transformation.”

Ibrahim continued, “We look forward to working with Image Nation on the launch of its new, eagerly-anticipated TV channel. There is huge appetite for original, Arabic language content across the Middle East and we are honored to play an integral role in delivering this service 24/7 from our newly-established hub in Abu Dhabi. Our global expertise, local know-how and extensive experience in managing playout operations make us the partner of choice for media companies.” 

Earlier this year, Ericsson announced a partnership with twofour54, the home of Abu Dhabi’s media industry. As part of this partnership, Ericsson established a broadcast and media hub in Abu Dhabi to serve clients across the Middle East region and beyond. Quest Arabiya will join the growing portfolio of TV channels managed by Ericsson from this hub.

Michael Garin, CEO of Image Nation, said: “The partnership with Ericsson is a great example of the benefits of being on the twofour54 campus and part of the Media Zone Authority, where the best of local, regional and international expertise exists in one place in the heart of Abu Dhabi.”

Ericsson delivers some of the world’s most renowned and premium TV programing around the globe, powers some of the world’s largest and most complex video platforms, and helps the world’s strongest content brands to deliver personalized, high-quality programing to consumers 24/7. Ericsson enables content owners, broadcasters, and TV service providers across cable, satellite and telecoms to accelerate their transformation towards TV in the Networked Society. With many expansive solutions that include Media Delivery Network, Ericsson Mediaroom and Cloud DVR, Ericsson has shaped many evolutions in TV for over 20 years such as digital TV, IPTV, HD, and soon UHD and HDR. Ericsson holds many patents and is recognized with five Technical Emmy awards.