Al Sharqiya prepares for Ultra HD with FOR-A

Powerful new switcher for news studio

Dubai, March 10, 2025 –FOR-A, a cutting-edge video broadcast technology company backed by more than 50 years' experience, has installed its HVS-1200 production switcher in the news production studio of Al Sharqiya. While currently operating in HD, the switcher is ready for 12G-SDI when the channel moves to Ultra HD.

Al Sharqiya Group, Iraq's first and largest privately owned broadcasting company, was founded in 2004 by media tycoon Saad al-Bazzaz with the launch of its satellite channel. Since then, the group has expanded its portfolio, offering a diverse range of channels and services to both Iraqi and pan-Arab audiences. The group operates state-of-the-art broadcast facilities across London, Dubai, Amman, Erbil, Baghdad, and Basra. Its flagship channels, Al Sharqiya Television and Al Sharqiya News, provide extensive coverage across the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe through multiple platforms including satellite, OTT services, and social media, where it has achieved significant reach with over a billion viewers during Ramadan.

Its news coverage is originated in a large newsroom studio in Dubai. The new HVS-1200 switcher provides comprehensive control over cameras and sources, with rich production values through the unique FOR-A MELiteTM technology, which enables the 2 M/E switcher to create effects which appear to use six M/E paths in HD.

As well as giving the vision mixed clear and secure control over the production, the HVS-1200 also incorporates a multi-viewer. This means that monitor walls and on-set displays can be controlled from a single source, simplifying the video architecture.

"We've been using FOR-A equipment for over a decade and have consistently found it to be reliable, versatile, and equipped with advanced features" said Ahmed BIN-Afif, CTO of Al Sharqiya Group. "The recent addition of their vision mixers to our system has been especially impressive, offering exceptional performance and delivering breathtaking, true 4K outputs. FOR-A equipment is a vital part of our workflow, and we look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come."

Mohammed Abu Ziyadeh, FOR-A Regional Manager for the Middle East and Africa, also commented "We find that customers are increasingly choosing the FOR-A approach of traditional, proven hardware and SDI connectivity over our competition. The industry is in transition, and FOR-A is well positioned for the move to IP, but for now users want the security of well-honed technology.

"Al Sharqiya is an excellent example," he said. "The station's entire reputation is based on up to the minute news coverage, so the studio producing it has to be on air non-stop. FOR-A’s established technologies guarantee that security."