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Satnews Daily
May 22nd, 2019

SES Satellite Delivers AfricaXP's Bouquet for African Viewers ... Free to Air Local Channel


Nigeria’s latest free-to-air (FTA) local channel bouquet, “PREMIUM.FREE”, has enabled local television broadcast audiences access to 13 new premium channels which are custom-made for African viewers. These include multinational language channels like Cinema Hausa, and popular African lifestyle channels such as True African.

Delivered via SES satellites, this bouquet is supplied by AfricaXP, the leading independent African network, which is well-known for its Nollywood catalog and longstanding partnerships with West African producers.

It is this blend of premium African programming with international content across a diverse range of themes from sports to movies, telenovelas, kids, factual, reality and lifestyle programming, which really sets PREMIUM.FREE apart from other channel bouquet offerings on the market.


Artistic rendition of the ASTRA 2E satellite.

SES operates more than 70 satellites and reaches over 9 million Direct-to-Home (DTH) households across West Africa from its orbital position of 28.2 degrees East (ASTRA-2E). Those households with existing FTA Set-Top Boxes (STBs) will be able to start watching the new channels on their existing STBs at no charge.

CEO of AfricaXP, Craig Kelly, stated that working with SES has enabled PREMIUM.FREE to achieve the maximum possible reach in Nigeria and that the company is confident that localization, coupled with the firm's fresh international rights, will provide the kind of content blend that modern West African audiences demand. Transmitted free-to-air via satellite, this is obviously a great offer at a price point that can’t be beaten.

Clint Brown, VP of Sales and Market Development, Africa for SES Video, added that the Nigerian FTA market in particular offers great opportunities for growth, and the company is proud to have engaged with PREMIUM.FREE to deliver a differentiated content package for Nigeria and offer more choice for viewers. New initiatives such as this, which focus on delivering local and international content that is attractive for the end-consumer and is offered in high picture quality, will further develop consumer choice in Nigeria.