Canal+ preps Ethiopian DTH platform

French pay TV operator Canal+ is set to launch Ethiopia’s first premium direct-to-home platform at the beginning of 2021.

The service will offer more than 50 premium channels in a mixture of standard and high definition, and a selection of Ethiopia’s free-to-air channels. It is being launched in partnership with satellite operator Eutelsat.

Jacques du Puy, chairman of Canal+ International, said: “We are delighted to launch our DTH pay TV offer in Ethiopia, relying on the experience of our trusted partner, Eutelsat, in this market.

“Our new platform, the first such offer in the Ethiopian market, will contribute to the already rich and diverse video landscape in this dynamic market and support our commitment to providing high-quality, diverse programming in the African continent, where we are already present in 25 countries.”

Rodolphe Belmer, CEO of Eutelsat Communications, added: “We are honoured to accompany our long-standing partner Canal+ as it extends its services to the Ethiopian broadcast market, which Eutelsat already knows well.

“This agreement highlights the appetite for high-quality and varied programming in this dynamic country, as well as throughout the broader African continent, which is the fastest-growing satellite broadcast market. It also confirms the relevance of our investments in selected incremental resources to tap growth pockets in emergent video markets.”

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