UAE-based satellite broadcasting company YahLive and Abu Dhabi Media (ADM) have agreed to broadcast six channels in HD throughout the region. According to a company executive, ADM had been looking to braodcast in HD for quite some time. "If you're running a media business, you have got to decide whether you run ahead of consumer demand and play some role in being a catalyst in the market or follow it," said Malcolm Wall, the chief executive of ADM "The uptake of HD seems very strong. We'll be looking at whether to extend that offering to some of our other channels, particularly our sports channels."

OSN has announced it will add up to five high-definition channels this year as part of its plan to make the network 'HD-only' by 2015. "We will continue to expand over the next two or three years, to convert the entire platform offering to HD," said David Butorac, chief executive at OSN. Last week, the pay-TV network announced it had added MBC's seven high-definition channels, including MBC1 and the Al Arabiya news station.

Seven high definition channels from MBC have been added to the OSN line-up. MBC 1 HD, MBC Drama, MBC 2 HD, MBC Action HD, MBC Max HD, MBC 4 HD and Al Arabiya news channel will now be available to OSN subscribers across the Middle East and North Africa for no extra charge. "OSN now offers its customers the most comprehensive HD experience in the region and we're delighted to announce the addition of the MBC HD channels to the OSN platform," said David Butorac, chief executive, OSN.