Ericsson has bagged multi-year deal from FOX Networks Middle East to provide playout, media management and distribution services for three new HD channels.

FOX Networks Middle East uses Ericsson’s broadcast and media services hub in Abu Dhabi to launch the new channels – FOX Crime, FOX Life and FOX Rewayat – last month and broadcast 24 hours a day in the Middle East.

Ericsson will encode the channels for distribution across FOX’s affiliate network from its broadcast and media services hubs in Abu Dhabi and Hilversum, using Ericsson’s secure internet distribution platform.

“At FOX Networks Group, as we continue to expand our footprint across the Middle East, we want to ensure our channel experience is unparalleled by delivering reliable and agile broadcast services to our viewers across the region,” said Sanjay Raina, senior vice president of FOX Networks Group Middle East.

“Over the last 18 months, we’ve focused on growing our broadcast and media services hub in Abu Dhabi by strengthening our relationships with broadcasters across the region and hiring a talented team to deliver these critical services for our clients,” said Steve Nylund, head of Broadcast and Media Services, Ericsson

The new channels will join the growing portfolio of TV channels managed by Ericsson from its Abu Dhabi hub. This includes seven FOX channels – FOX Movies, FOX, STAR Movies, STAR World, FOX Action Movies, FOX Family Movies, and FX.