My-HD, one of the leading satellite pay-TV platforms in the Mena region, has signed an exclusive distribution agreement with GMA Network, the Philippines’ major Terrestrial TV Network.

Set to kick off on May 1, the launch of the MyGMA Pay TV package on My-HD signals a new phase in My-HD’s ambitious plans in the region.

My-HD CEO Cliff Nelson said: “With over 2.4 million Filipinos in the Middle East, this community is considerably one of the largest ones in the region and thus plays a significant role in the development of the local economy. Through our agreement with GMA Network, we aim to offer Filipino viewers their favorite programs on our one-stop HD platform.”

GMA Network vice president and head of International Operations Joseph T Francia explained GMA Network’s decision to shift to a new carrier.

“While GMA has been in the Mena region since 2006, we decided to explore growth opportunities which would provide more Filipinos now living in the Middle East a chance to enjoy their favorite GMA channels at a reduced price of $24 (from $32) whilst improving the overall quality and value of the service,” he said.

“This opportunity was not possible with our former carrier. Our subscribers and followers in the Middle East can only expect bigger things from the Network with GMA’s new found partnership with My-HD in place,” he added.

My-HD has also appointed Sawa Media to lead its IPTV and cable distribution. Availability on cable operators in the UAE and Qatar are set for finalization, a statement said.

The new MyGMA service on My-HD bundles for the first time GMA News TV, the number 1 news channel in the Philippines, together with GMA Pinoy TV (number 1 Terrestrial TV channel) and GMA Life TV, as well as DZBB-AM and DWLS-FM.

My-HD and GMA International – the business unit that manages the distribution and operations of GMA’s overseas channels – are embarking on massive promotional efforts to ensure the smooth transition of current subscribers.

Besides the MyGMA package, subscribers can access over 20 HD channels through My-HD approved receivers which will be given out for free to all MyGMA subscribers across the Middle East, the statement said.

My-HD Media will make the MyGMA package available to Satellite households on Arabsat through the frequency 10,770 MHz Vertical on BADR-5 satellite to further expand the reach of My-HD Media’s line-up of channels to over 170 million viewers in more than 80 countries across the Middle East, Africa and beyond.

The partnership between GMA and My-HD extends to Bahrain, Cyprus, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, UAE and Yemen in the Middle East.

The agreement also covers countries in North Africa namely Algeria, Chad, Djibouti Northern, Egypt, Malta, Mauritania, Morocco, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Tunisia. – TradeArabia News Service