Rapid TV News reports that Orbit-Showtime Network will add another six high-definition channels for Middle East viewers, marking the biggest development in TV in the last 15 years. OSN now has a total of nine HDTV channels in less than two months. Only subscribers who have swapped their old receivers with the new ones can view the new services.

According to Marc-Antoine d’Halluin, CEO, OSN, “the line-up will elevate viewers’ TV experience to new heights, by bringing entertainment to life with vibrant colours and superb quality sound creating a completely unique television experience.”

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Rapid TV News reports that Orbit-Showtime Network (OSN) has been relaunched yesterday to offer a new look and eight new channels, three of which are in high definition. Viewers will not be able to view the three HDTV channels unless they get the new set-top box, which will not be available for a few weeks. It will take about 9 months before all subscribers get a new one.

The three new HDTV services are OSN Movies HD, Nat Geo Wild HD and Discovery HD, while the five new standard channels are OSN Variety, Scripps’ Food Network, MTV Networks-owned BET (Black Entertainment TV), Discovery’s Investigation Discovery (ID) and OSN Arabia.

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Kuwait Projects Company (Kipco) has announced the merger of its satellite broadcast company Showtime with Orbit, one of the region's leading television companies.The deal brings together the Showtime and Orbit brands and operating platforms. The new company will become the leading pay-TV platform in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

The new company is a partnership between the Orbit Group, a member of the Riyadh-based Mawarid Group and Showtime Arabia, a subsidiary of Kipco. The deal follows statements by Kipco and Orbit Group calling for a consolidation of the region's pay-TV industry.

The new company will offer over 70 exclusive channels featuring the widest choice of exclusive first run Hollywood movies, premium sports, Arabic and international television entertainment.

The deal brings together the two core network operations comprising programming, marketing, distribution, broadcast technology and subscriber management systems. The merger offers customers superior programming choice, innovative decoder technology and the most complete pay-TV platform.

Mr Faisal Al Ayyar, Kipco's Vice Chairman, said the merger was good news for all concerned and another example of Kipco's successful business strategy.

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