At CABSAT 2018, satellite operator Yahlive and DTH operator Entertainment and Reality TV Hub (EARTH) announced the addition of 35 TV channels, catering to the South Asian viewers in the GCC, in a bid to curb piracy and support efforts to eliminate illegal viewing platforms in the region.

The UAE-based operator aims to create an official South Asian TV entertainment hub in the GCC with an array of channels, including the first HD Indian TV Channel titled ‘Minerva’ and 35 Pakistani channels.

“Our goal is to partner with as many South Asian broadcasters as possible to cater to the viewing needs of the audience,” explains Sami Boustany, Chief Executive Officer of Yahlive. “With the South Asian community in the GCC and its neighboring countries growing at an exponential rate, we observed a gap in this market and committed to develop premium content to cater to the demand, while keeping in mind the available resources for television viewing and respecting all legal requirements.”

 The Yahlive stand at CABSAT 2018 was set up at as a multicultural themed TV room, to play tribute to the various cultures and countries whose channels are broadcast by the operator. The stand also serves as a network-and-watch space where visitors can view the various channels and promos as they enjoy carefully selected delicacies including Emirati coffee, Moroccan tea and Middle Eastern sweets.

Yahlive, headquartered in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates, was launched in 2011 as a joint venture between the world leading satellite operator SES and Yahsat, a pioneering UAE-based satellite operator. Yahlive has been operating a leading-edge network to broadcast free-to-air high-quality satellite television and positively impacts the lives of its viewers by remaining connected through language and content. Today, Yahlive is the number one satellite operator for the Farsi region, reaching more than 55 million viewers.