Egyptian satellite operator Nilesat has installed video acquisition, encoding and digital content management technology from Cisco. The new digital contribution system between Nilesat and the state broadcaster, the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU), now carries 32 TV channels and 40 radio stations, to be broadcast across the Middle East via satellite. The Nilesat DVB centre also now processes over 150 private TV and radio channels using Cisco video solutions.

Al Jazeera viewers in the MENA region have been advised by the Doha-based broadcaster to retune their satellite decoders to allow better reception of its TV signals, as the channel continues to experience signal interference. Nilesat viewers have been advised to seek the alternative frequencies of 11636V and 10992V, while Eutelsat viewers in Western Asia, including the Gulf, Levant, and Iraq, as well as Egypt and East Libya have been advised to retune to 11636V. 

Kuwaiti telecoms firm Wataniya Telecom is planning to launch its own satellite channel, due to run during the holy month of Ramadan, starting on July 15. The planned channel is not aimed at commercial gains, Wataniya said, adding the channel will broadcast a religious programme, a competition show and several drama series eight hours a day without advertisements through Egypt's Nilesat.