CNN reaches world's remotest audiences with satellite operator Thuraya

In its first alliance with a mobile satellite provider, the strategic partnership will see the launch of a CNN Breaking News SMS Alerts service to Thuraya customers beyond the reach of standard mobile coverage across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Central and South Asia.

As of today, Thuraya's satellite mobile customers will have access to breaking news in English and Arabic. Customers will also be able to tailor the service according to their preferences by signing up for optional extras including news from the World, US and Middle East, as well as business, sport and showbiz updates delivered direct to their mobile phones.

A banner on the CNN website will direct users to a dedicated site from where they can sign up to the service.

CNN's partnership with Thuraya will extend the news leader's mobile reach by an additional 250,000 subscribers, which will be largely expanded following Thuraya's launch in the Asia-Pacific region in early 2008. The services target regions outside the reach of GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) coverage.

Thuraya's satellite infrastructure currently provides blanket coverage to more than 110 countries, across a landmass inhabited by an estimated 2.3 billion people, and set to increase by an additional 2 billion people with the launch of the new satellite, Thuraya-3 later this year.

Commenting on the deal, Rani R. Raad, Vice President of Ad Sales at CNN International, said, 'At CNN we're always looking for new and innovative ways to deliver value-added services to our audiences, wherever they are and across whichever platform they choose. Thuraya offers us an even greater penetration for our mobile proposition and we're delighted to be working with them.'

On his part, Thuraya's Chief Commercial Officer Mr Sabah Al Kudies said the breaking news service with CNN demonstrates yet another application and benefit that we are evolving to our portfolio of value added services to our subscribers. 'Our subscribers, who are largely moving in remote and rural areas beyond GSM network reach, and especially those interested in following up and receiving the latest news, be it political, business, sports or entertainment, can now receive their favourite CNN breaking instantly via Thuraya handheld terminals.'

CNN's deal with Thuraya is the latest development in the longstanding relationship between the two companies, which has seen the satellite provider running an extensive TV and web campaign on CNN for the third year running.