French international news channel France 24 has launched two HD channels, France 24 HD in English and France 24 HD in Arabic, on Arabsat’s Badr 4 satellite. The Arabic HD channel is exclusive to Arabsat in the region. France 24 already broadcasts France 24 in standard definition in French, English, and Arabic on the Badr 4 satellite, along with radio services RFI and Monte Carlo Doualiya.

The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and other international broadcasters have claimed television and radio broadcasts on the Arabsat satellites have been intentionally jammed by the Ethiopian authorities. BBC, Deutsche Welle, France 24 and the US Broadcasting Board of Directors, which oversees the Voice of America, have all been affected, and have condemned the action, which they said was a “flagrant violation” of international procedures on operating satellite equipment.

BBC World News will launch its international HD channel on Arabsat on August 5. Arabsat will be the BBC’s first distribution partner in the Middle East to offer the news channel in HD. In January, BBC World News’ unveiled its new look, following a re-launch from the heart of the BBC Newsroom at Broadcasting House in central London.