Arabsat and France Médias Monde have announced the launch of France 24 HD in French exclusively on Arabsat BADR-4, to be broadcast as free-to-air across the Middle East, North Africa and Europe via the coverage of Arabsat BADR-4.

“We have come a long way in a short time, as today we are thrilled to announce another significant milestone in the established cooperation and partnering between Arabsat and France Médias Monde” said Khalid Balkheyour, President and CEO, Arabsat. “Just in less one year, we have launched the three 24/7  leading news network France 24 channels. The Arabic, English and today the French version – all come with the optimum HD format, offering Arabsat audience best quality of picture through an exclusive portfolio of top-ranked video channels.” he said. “Alongside, we continue to provide our customers of international and regional broadcasters with a platform of excellence which delivers cost-effective transmission model at the highest quality.”

Commenting on the partnership, Marie-Christine Saragosse, CEO of France Médias Monde, the group in charge of French international broadcasting including France 24, said: “With the launch of France 24 HD in French, we trust that using Arabsat BADR-4 wide coverage will enable us to reach the massive French speaking audience across the Middle East and North Africa. France 24 HD in French will give the Francophonie communities across the Middle East and North Africa an opportunity to follow the latest global news, which showcases in French at its best HD form covering a wide range of rich content such as politics, technology, sports and other cultural trends – as it does in English and Arabic also.