Press release -
Eutelsat’s leading 7/8° West video neighbourhood to host SoFast’s iconic FAST channel, Baywatch TV
- Expanding the reach of FAST content to new audiences that the channel wouldn’t be able to reach otherwise
- Confirming the 7/8° West video neighbourhood as the leading satellite position in MENA
Paris, 12 Sep 2025 - Eutelsat (ISIN: FR0010221234 - Euronext Paris / London Stock Exchange: ETL) and SoFast, the global leader in the creation, playout, and monetisation of FAST and linear channels, have partnered to distribute the channel Baywatch TV, subtitled in Arabic. The iconic channel, based on the cult Baywatch series, will be available to audiences across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) from the region’s leading 7/8° West video neighbourhood.
Under the agreement, SoFast will manage the playout and distribution for the channel, while Eutelsat will provide capacity on the EUTELSAT 7 West A satellite.
The 7/8° West orbital position reaches over 66 million TV homes across MENA, making it the region’s leading broadcast position and offering the largest exclusive reach. It is chosen by audiences for the unparalleled line-up of content available, with around 950 TV channels broadcasting from the popular location.
“This launch represents a strategic milestone for Baywatch TV, illustrating SoFast's ability to support its partners in multi-platform distribution, whether through FAST or premium channels, to OTT platforms, Telco operators, and even satellite,”said Yanai Arfi, Chief Executive Officer, SoFast.
“We are delighted to be working with SoFast, to bring this iconic channel to viewers across MENA”added Aymeric Genty, President of Eutelsat’s Video Business Unit. “The Eutelsat-Nilesat 7/8° West orbital position is MENA’s leading video neighbourhood. Thanks to the extensive footprint of satellite, we are able to increase Baywatch TV’s reach to 95% of homes across the region.”
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About Eutelsat
Eutelsat is a global leader in satellite communications, delivering connectivity and broadcast services worldwide. Eutelsat was formed through the combination of the Company and OneWeb in 2023, becoming the first fully integrated GEO-LEO satellite operator with a fleet of 34 Geostationary (GEO) satellites and a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation of more than 600 satellites. Eutelsat addresses the needs of customers in four key verticals of Video, where it distributes around 6,400 television channels, and the high-growth connectivity markets of Mobile Connectivity, Fixed Connectivity, and Government Services. Eutelsat's unique suite of in-orbit assets and ground infrastructure enables it to deliver integrated solutions to meet the needs of global customers. The Company is headquartered in Paris and Eutelsat employs more than 1,600 people across more than 75 countries. Eutelsat is committed to delivering safe, resilient, and environmentally sustainable connectivity to help bridge the digital divide. The Company is listed on the Euronext Paris Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL) and the London Stock Exchange (ticker: ETL).
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DISCLAIMER
The forward-looking statements included herein are for illustrative purposes only and are based on management’s views and assumptions as of the date of this document. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks. For illustrative purposes only, such risks include but are not limited to: risks related to the health crisis; operational risks related to satellite failures or impaired satellite performance, or failure to roll out the deployment plan as planned and within the expected timeframe; risks related to the trend in the satellite telecommunications market resulting from increased competition or technological changes affecting the market; risks related to the international dimension of the Group's customers and activities; risks related to the adoption of international rules on frequency coordination and financial risks related, inter alia, to the financial guarantee granted to the Intergovernmental Organization's closed pension fund, and foreign exchange risk. Eutelsat Communications expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any projections, forecasts or estimates contained in this document to reflect any change in events, conditions, assumptions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, unless so required by applicable law. The information contained in this document is not based on historical fact and should not be construed as a guarantee that the facts or data mentioned will occur. This information is based on data, assumptions and estimates that the Group considers as reasonable.
