Al Jazeera sports channels join MENOS network

Al Jazeera has invested in several Multimedia Exchange Network over Satellite (MENOS) TV interactive terminals from satellite communication company Newtec to ensure it receives video and data from key sporting events.

The MENOS network is an all-IP solution for exchanging multimedia content over satellite and is operated by the Arab States Broadcasting Union (ASBU). It enables fully automated, cost-effective sharing of video and radio content among scattered sites. The ASBU MENOS network is jointly operated with Arabsat utilising their satellite capacity.

Slaheddine Maaoui, ASBU Director General, said: “For the first time Al Jazeera will be benefitting from the ASBU-MENOS network we successfully operate. We are pleased to continue our ongoing cooperation with Al Jazeera in this vital project for the Arab region. We are constantly looking at ways to improve technology and services. Thanks to the MENOS network there is now a professional broadcast exchange network ensuring a high quality service to our members, as well as other broadcasters in the region.”

The TV Satellite Interactive Terminals (SIT) will be provisioned in the ASBU network, utilising Arabsat satellite capacity. In addition to installing the terminals, Newtec will also be training Aljazeera staff and providing professional service training.

Serge Van Herck, CEO of Newtec said: “MENOS is a revolutionary networking concept. It has been designed to provide not only the fastest and most cost-effective technology for exchanging media content, but also a complete range of tools to facilitate related coordination tasks and people collaboration across the network.”