Arqiva, the communications infrastructure and media services company, has won the contract to distribute the France 24 news channel in the UK. The five year contract sees Arqiva providing multiplexing, uplinking and satellite services that deliver the channel’s English language feed to the BSkyB and Freesat platforms as well as to an extensive network of hotels.
Following its launch five years ago France 24 has built a 30 million strong weekly following for its 24/7 news content which brings a French perspective to world events. With global distribution reaching 160 million homes worldwide its programming is produced in Paris in French, English and Arabic.
Arqiva uses its facilities in France and its global terrestrial fiber network to bring the channel’s feeds to the UK. The English language feed is then uplinked onto Arqiva’s Eurobird 1 satellite capacity through one of its international teleports. Exclusive delivery of the service began on November 1st.
David Couret from France 24 said, “France 24 broadcasts extensive live prime-time content so it is crucial that our broadcast chain is as robust and reliable as possible. Arqiva is widely recognized as the UK broadcast specialist so we are pleased to be able to utilize their expertise in distributing our content into this essential market.”
John Bozza, Sales Director, Broadcast & Media at Arqiva, added, “Arqiva’s core expertise in the UK broadcast market extends to an international presence which makes it simple for us to provide global distribution services to major broadcasters all around the world. We are delighted to win this contract with France 24 and look forward to building our relationship with this leading international news broadcaster.”