YahLive, the UAE-based satellite broadcasting company, said it has signed a partnership agreement with telecom operator du for collaboration on satellite broadcasting services.

YahLive is a partnership company with Yahsat, a leading satellite communications company and a subsidiary of Mubadala Development Company and SES, a global DTH satellite operator.

Under the new agreement, du will establish uplink services to YahLive’s Y1A satellite which broadcasts at 52.5ºE. This is key to UAE-based TV broadcasters as it will establish easy access to YahLive’s growing HD satellite offering.

YahLive CEO Mohamed Youssif said, "The UAE is a leading media market in the region and so it is extremely important that we offer an uplink service towards YahLive satellite to UAE-based TV channels using our competitive high bit rate for the HD channels, which will keep high quality, and strengthen our position as HD hot spot in the region."

"Since our launch we have received significant interest from broadcasters who have been keen to extend their audience reach through our HD offering and this agreement will now allow us to facilitate them," Youssif added.

Commenting on the development, Mohamed Al Shahi, senior director broadcasting, du, said: “Having our roots in the UAE, we are delighted to partner UAE-based YahLive.

"This partnership will enable YahLive to be available to all broadcasters connected to du in the UAE and regionally. With the addition of YahLive, our satellite offerings will be strengthened as it will provide broadcasters with a new option over the Middle East, Europe and Africa geographies," he added.-TradeArabia News Service