SES launches free Covid-19 channel

Satellite and terrestrial telecoms network provider SES has launched a free-to-air channel called Fight Covid-19 to help curb the spread of the pandemic.

The channel will offer millions of households across Africa, Europe and Asia-Pacific access to informative content about Covid-19.

The content will be provided by trusted organisations such as UNICEF and AFP as well as global educational technology enterprise Potential. It will inform viewers in underserved and rural communities about Covid-19 symptoms, the recovery process, how to manage the effects of the pandemic and social distancing measures.

The channel will broadcast from SES satellites including ASTRA 4A at five degrees east for Sub-Saharan Africa and Ukraine, ASTRA 2F at 28.2 degrees east for West Africa, NSS-12 at 57 degrees east for Ethiopia and adjacent countries, and SES-9 at 108.2 degrees east for the Philippines.

Steve Collar, CEO of SES, said: “Our lives have been disrupted by Covid-19 in the last few months and unfortunately it doesn’t seem to be going away anytime soon. Through the global reach of satellite TV we are in a position to contribute our resources wisely to help provide important information to vulnerable communities.

“We have been really fortunate to be able to collaborate with UNICEF, AFP and Potential who are willing to contribute content for this good cause. Together, we hope to reach a wide group of audiences with reliable and trustworthy content and do our part in helping slow the spread of Covid-19.”

tagged in: Fight Covid-19, SES, Steve Collar