SES Launching COVID-19 TV Channel

It was probably only a matter of time, but a COVID-19 TV channel is launching.

Global satellite operator SES teamed up with UNICEF, news agency AFP and EdTech company potential.com to populate the free channel with information targeting rural and underserved communities with information on how to limit the spread of the virus.

The channel will be available in parts of Africa, Europe and Asia-Pacific, areas that could see major outbreaks from a pandemic that appears far from under control. Content will include on social distancing, no how to identify symptoms and how to manage recovery.

SES is welcoming programming input from other international organizations.

"Our lives have been disrupted by COVID-19 in the last few months, and unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon," said SES CEO Steve Collar. "Through the global reach of satellite, we are in a position to contribute our resources wisely to help provide important information to vulnerable communities."

John Eggerton

Contributing editor John Eggerton has been an editor and/or writer on media regulation, legislation and policy for over four decades, including covering the FCC, FTC, Congress, the major media trade associations, and the federal courts. In addition to Multichannel News and Broadcasting + Cable, his work has appeared in Radio World, TV Technology, TV Fax, This Week in Consumer Electronics, Variety and the Encyclopedia Britannica.