Asianet reaches North America; Seven express interest in Malta Television license; VOA sponsors nightly TV news transmitted to Iran

International Airwave Roundup

GlobeCast, Intelsat Bring Asianet USA To North American Subscribers

Malayalam-language Asianet USA has become part of the GlobeCast WorldTV direct-to-home network available on a subscription basis to North American satellite TV viewers via Telstar 5.

WorldTV on Telstar 5 delivers programming from around the world to North America. The service delivers about 70 radio and TV channels from Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Asianet originates from Kerala India and is the largest Malayalam TV channel in the world. Intelsat will provide complete delivery service of Asianet via its APR-1 satellite, the REACH teleport in Hong Kong, Intelsat 701, its teleport in Los Angeles and transmission to North America subscribers via Telstar 5.

Voice of America launches nightly Farsi language news, mystery jammer blocks signal

Last weekend, the Voice of America kicked off a nightly news telecast in the Farsi language targeting Iran’s satellite television viewers.

The 30-minute News & Views program airs from 9:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Iran. Shortly thereafter the signal -along with other satellite programming that originates in the United States for consumption in Iran- began being jammed by an unknown source. Reports indicate the jamming may originate from somewhere in Latin America.

Reporting from Iran, the VOA program will cover the recent pro-democracy demonstrations in Iran as well as deliver news analysis and features on Iranian culture and other topics of interest. The show will make use of reporters from Radio Farda.

Scheduled to last at least through September, New & Views is expected to cost $500,000 to produce.

Iranian television viewers rely heavily on satellite programming for news of the outside world. Many Iranian homes have their own dish and receiver.

Seven express interest in Malta TV broadcast license

Seven interested parties, ranging from publishers to political parties, have replied to a call by the Malta Broadcast Authority for those with an interest in seeking a license to broadcast television nationally.

Among those responding are political party Alternattiva Demokratika, Where’s Everybody?, a representative of the International Communications Corp., a representative of Front Maltin Inqumu, Allied Newspapers, Father John Baptist Farrugia and ex Maltacom chairman Tony Mejlaq.

Malta’s existing state television is experiencing budget shortfalls, and its independent broadcasters, which have affiliations with political parties, reportedly have low viewership.

Members of the public in Malta may comment or provide suggestions to the Broadcast Authority on those seeking television licenses until noon Aug. 4.

Back to the top