Tanzania television service provider Azam Media has signed on satellite operator Eutelsat Communications in a bid to expand its broadcasting footprint across Africa.

The deal entails a long-term contract for capacity on the EUTELSAT 7A satellite.

Azam Media says it plans to use 108 MHz of capacity connected to the satellite’s African footprint as part of its move to broadcast its yet-to-be-launched pay-TV venture, AzamTV, from its Tanzanian base into sub-Saharan Africa.

Azam Media says it is in the final stages of preparation to launch AzamTV, a service expected to have over 55 African and international channels for a monthly subscription of around $8.

The offering is set to include three home-grown channels: Azam One, Azam Two and Sinema Zetu (films in Kiswahili).

It will also broadcast live and recorded Tanzania Premier League matches and carry free-to-air channels in each of the countries it covers.

Azam Media says its content is planned to be compressed in MPEG4 format and uplinked by Eutelsat to the EUTELSAT 7A satellite from its Cagliari teleport in Sardinia.

In addition, Eutelsat has developed a training programme for installers called ‘Satëlite’ to ensure that subscribers to AzamTV receive the best service for the installation of their DTH equipment, according to a statement.

Over the last two weeks of October the ‘Satëlite’ team has trained over 500 installers from across Tanzania, says the press statement.

“The arrival of AzamTV as a trans-continental pay-TV platform finally marks the availability of affordable and high-quality digital channels for viewers in Tanzania and way beyond,” says Rhys Torrington, chief executive officer of Azam Media.

“With the footprint and the services provided by Eutelsat we benefit from a solid platform and unrivalled DTH experience that will help transform into reality our vision of delivering exceptional entertainment at a great price into ordinary TV homes across the region,” added Torrington.

Jean-François Leprince-Ringuet, Eutelsat’s chief commercial officer, added: “We are delighted to forge this new relationship with a leading Tanzanian company poised to accelerate East Africa’s transition to digital and offer viewers the dual benefits of increased choice and exceptional signal quality.”

Azam Media belongs to Bakhresa Group, a leading industrial house in Tanzania.