Fox looks to Qtel fibre for HD delivery in Qatar

Fox International Channels (FIC) is looking to Qtel's nationwide fibre to the home project to deliver high definition (HD) quality content, as the broadcaster records a 20% rise in its Qatar-based audience. "Currently, Qatar is airing FIC's nine channels. Qtel carry six of them. But many of them are not high definition. Our priority is to convert them into HD. Qatar's ultra-fast internet facility would help transform this," Rohit D'Silva, senior vice president, Middle East and North Africa, FIC is quoted as saying in The Peninsula. Viewership for the Fox channels in Qatar grew 20% in 2011, with its Arabic-dubbed western shows remaining very popular, according to D'Silva. He also said dubbed versions of international formats such as the reality cookery show Masterchef Australia have also proved immensely popular. "Our research revealed that there is a huge demand for quality entertainment targeting women. On Fox, over 50% of viewership comes from women," D'Silva told The Peninsula. FIC, part of Rupert Murdoch's media empire, is also reportedly ramping up its partnership with Qatar Airways, one of its major advertisers, and exploring the options with a new Qatar-based media partner. The broadcaster, which has been operating in the Middle East and North Africa since 2008, now has 13 channels in the region.