FOX selects Ericsson for playout services in Middle East

NEW DELHI: Swedish telecom equipment maker Ericsson said that it has signed an exclusive multi-year contract with FOX Networks Group (FNG) Middle East to provide playout services for three new HD channels.

The new channels - FOX Action Movies, FOX Family Movies, and FX - will be broadcast from Ericsson's broadcast and media services hub in Abu Dhabi and will be available 24 hours a day.

The channels will provide innovative entertainment programming, 'subbed and dubbed' family oriented programming, drama and comedy programming tailored to a Middle East audience.

"FOX Action Movies HD showcases some of the biggest, most popular and iconic action features from around the world. While FX HD breaks new ground with high-quality drama series, edgy movies and unconventional series. We're pleased to extend our relationship with Ericsson, our trusted partners for playout services in the region," said Sanjay Raina, General Manager and Vice President of FOX Networks Group Middle East.

Thorsten Sauer, Head of Broadcast and Media Services, Ericsson, says: "Our global expertise and extensive experience in managing complex playout operations, combined with the local know-how of our Abu Dhabi based team, makes us the partner of choice for many TV and media organizations across the region. We have a long and very positive relationship with FOX in several parts of the world, and we look forward to strengthening this further still in the years to come."

The new FOX HD channels join the growing portfolio of TV channels managed by Ericsson from its hub, which include four FOX channels - FOX Movies, FOX, STAR Movies and STAR World - as well as a number of local and international channels including Quest Arabiya, the joint venture between Image Nation and Discovery Communications, and Clouds TV.

In 2015, 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 services hub in Abu Dhabi to serve clients across the Middle East and beyond. The hub also provides a local base for Ericsson to deliver its leading portfolio of services in content management, over-the-top (OTT), content discovery, metadata, creative and access services to clients across the Middle East region and beyond.