Al-Ahly strike ART deal to start satellite channel

CAIRO (GoPharaohs.com) - It will be a first in Egyptian football history; Al-Ahly Sporting Club of Egypt announced that they will be starting a new satellite channel to begin broadcasting this year. The club finalised their negotations with two sponsors owned by parent company Arab Radio & Television (ART).

The club owns a 51% share of the channel to maintain control over its operations, while ART owns the remaining shares. Al-Ahly struck the 15 year deal after negotiations with the sponsor companies that lasted for three years. The channel is expected to begin test broadcasts of 6 hours on June 15th 2007.

After the Egyptian 2006/2007 league season ends, Al-Ahly will broadcast all of its games on the satellite channel. The channel will be broadcast locally in Egypt free of charge, but will be available on satellite for a fee of 15LE per month (or the equivalent in foriegn currency). The channel can be purchased individually or through an ART package.

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