Arab Radio and Television Network Partners with NeuLion

Arab Radio and Television Network, or "ART," an Arabic language television network in the Middle East, and NeuLion, Inc., an end-to-end IPTV (News - Alert) service provider of live and on-demand international, sports and variety programming delivered via broadband, have entered into a long-term partnership to distribute ART channels using NeuLion's (News - Alert) IPTV platform in Canada.

ART, through International Media Distribution, or "IMD," the global distribution arm of ART is the exclusive aggregator and provider of Arabic content.

The new television service leverages ART/IMD's extensive library and premium content coupled with NeuLion technology for a new Arabic IPTV destination in Canada.

Officials with NeuLion said that as part of the partnership the company would be the exclusive IPTV technology provider and ART/IMD the exclusive Arabic content provider to the company in Canada to offer to all IP platforms including PC, TV through set top box, mobile and other IP enabled devices.

Company officials said that the new service, branded Talfazat-ART, will offer Canadian viewers access to ART/IMD's deep menu of channels including family entertainment, movies, and music.

The Talfazat-ART service will launch in June 2010 and be offered as both a subscription and pay-per-view service.

"As the world's leading Arabic content provider, we are eager to extend and further develop our distribution through partnership with NeuLion for the latest and high-tech IPTV distribution to satisfy the high demand in the Canadian market for Arabic Channels exclusively offered by IMD," said Karim Abdallah, CEO of IMD/ART, in a statement.

Nancy Li, CEO of NeuLion said that this partnership combines the best in technology with the best Arabic content, together creating an unmatched television service for an underserved market.

"We are pleased to provide Arab audiences in Canada ART/IMD's top-tier programming and believe that viewers will greatly benefit from this new television service," Li said.