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StartSat launches new channels in South Africa; iflix, Vodafone Egypt team up

In this monthly Africa and Middle East video spotlight feature, S&P Global Market Intelligence provides a roundup of news related to over-the-top, video-on-demand and other online video initiatives in different African and Middle Eastern markets.

TOP NEWS

* StarTimes' subsidiary StarSat will introduce FilmBox Africa HD and FashionBox HD in South Africa through its direct-to-home and over-the-top platforms, Broadband TV News reported May 14.

* Iflix Sdn. Bhd. said May 9 that it partnered with Egyptian mobile operator Vodafone Egypt the online video-streaming service will offer the Vodafone Group PLC unit's subscribers access to its collection of shows and movies. Iflix has also established a regional headquarters in Cairo.

OTHER NEWS

* EMedia Investments (Pty.) Ltd. will launch OpenNews, a 24-hour news channel on South Africa's digital terrestrial television provided by Platco Digital, Advanced Television reported May 17. The channel will first become available in standard definition and will move to digital later in 2018.

* IMAX Corp. inked a sales deal with VOX Cinemas, a cinema exhibitor in the Middle East, for a minimum of four new IMAX theaters in Saudi Arabia. The theaters will be installed at new multiplexes in Riyadh and other locations such as shopping malls, including those owned by VOX Cinemas' parent company, Majid Al Futtaim.

* IMAX said May 12 that it has also teamed up with Saudi Arabia's General Culture Authority to identify and develop local IMAX-format films. The nonbinding agreement is part of the authority's efforts to develop a sustainable film industry in the kingdom.

* MultiChoice South Africa CEO Calvo Mawela has said new entrants in over-the-top space in South Africa, such as Netflix Inc. and Amazon.com Inc.'s Amazon Prime Video, must add value-added tax to their subscription costs and pay license fees, Advanced Television reported May 14.

* Middle Eastern broadcasters Arabsat and twofour54 FZ-LLC have entered into an agreement that allows the former to set up a satellite uplink from the former's media hub, Rapid TV News reported May 11. As part of the agreement, twofour54's partner organizations and broadcasters can transmit content through Arabsat's new satellite channels.

* Canon Inc. said May 9 that it agreed to acquire Israel-based BriefCam Ltd. The video technology solutions provider will continue its operations under the current management structure following the closing of the deal.

* BeIN Media Group LLC on May 8 introduced its Summer Special Bundle, carrying about 70 entertainment channels, including the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, which the network will exclusively broadcast in the Middle East and North Africa.

* Uganda's Communications Commission plans to charge pay TV operators a higher licence fee than the current annual 540 million Ugandan shillings, Advanced Television reported May 8. It said the fee is small compared to TV operators' estimated annual revenue of $81 million.

* The Zimbabwe government has allowed Econet Media Ltd. to broadcast and stream content in the country through Kwesé TV, Rapid TV News reported May 7. Econet has filed for its own license after severing ties with former partner Dr. Dish, which held its license to operate in Zimbabwe.

* Middle East pay TV provider OSN is adding 25 series in its line up as part of its programming for the Ramadan, Rapid TV News reported May 7. Some of the shows includes new romantic drama "Tareeq," cooking show "Sahtein Ma' Pelin" and "Layali Awjini."

* Saudi Telecom Co.'s discussions with Saudi Arabian Football Federation and the General Sport Authority on a broadcasting deal for soccer matches remains in progress, Reuters reported May 6. The memorandum of understanding between the parties has been extended to July 1 and can be further extended until an agreement has been met.

* Vivendi SA's network of cinemas in central and Western Africa, CanalOlympia, will be showing Orange SA's Cinédays program in locations where Orange operates, Rapid TV news reported April 27. Orange Studio may also contribute to CanalOlympia's programming from its catalog and by offering new co-products.

* United Arab Emirates-based satellite operator Yahsat said April 26 that it has agreed to acquire mobile satellite services operator Thuraya to expand its current satellite solutions portfolio. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.