Eutelsat brings satellite-powered streaming to MENA with Majjane

In the Middle East and North Africa, where mobile penetration is high, but connectivity remains inconsistent outside urban centres, Eutelsat is unveiling Majjane, a data-free multiscreen service designed to bring live TV and on-demand video directly to smartphones, tablets and PCs without requiring internet or mobile data. The platform leverages the Eutelsat–Nilesat 7/8° West orbital position and will eventually offer 300-plus channels alongside curated VOD content to any smartphone or device equipped with a compatible application and receiver.

Kamal Lotfy, Senior Sales Director for North Africa, South-East Asia, and Asia Pacific at Eutelsat, explains the core distinction: “The platform will include a rich mix of general interest and entertainment channels, as well as national and international news and sports. It also offers free download of on-demand video and audio content, including educational files and applications. While traditional satellite TV reaches households with television sets, Majjane brings the broadcast experience directly to the region’s 447m smartphones, unlocking access to quality content anywhere, anytime without relying on terrestrial networks or data plans.”

In the Gulf and similarly connected high-traffic areas, the strength of Majjane and the native IP standard lies in its ability to deliver large-scale, live event broadcasts and high-quality content simultaneously to massive audiences without straining mobile or fiber networks. This makes it ideal for broadcasting major sports events, cultural festivals, or government announcements efficiently and reliably.

By offloading traffic from traditional networks, Majjane ensures smooth, uninterrupted viewing experiences for large, digitally engaged populations complementing existing infrastructure rather than competing with it.

Addressing a multiscreen challenge

The initiative is in response to a structural gap in MENA households. Around 70% of MENA homes have one TV screen and an average of 4.5 people per household. This means that when the main television is occupied, others must turn to mobile devices, typically over 3G or 4G networks that incur costs and suffer from congestion. Majjane reportedly delivers content directly via satellite, allowing multiple users to access programming simultaneously without compromising quality.

“The free offer from Majjane allows all members of the household to benefit from freedom of choice, to watch other TV channels independently of the main TV screen,” Lotfy says. “It offers high-quality reception, avoiding the buffering associated with shared-infrastructure telecoms networks such as 3G/4G, which can be subject to significant congestion when the number of users in a given geographical area becomes too large.”

Where content falls outside the preloaded VOD catalogue, the Majjane app enables a fallback to streaming over 3G/4G or other available internet access. This ensures users can still view desired programmes while prioritising satellite delivery for the bulk of viewing, keeping data costs low.

The multiscreen approach also opens opportunities for institutional use. Educational content, public service announcements and health information can be delivered to remote schools, rural clinics and refugee camps without relying on mobile or terrestrial networks. Its low infrastructure requirements make it feasible in areas with limited connectivity and electricity, contributing to digital inclusion and bridging the gap for underserved populations.

DVB-Native IP: Converging broadcast and IP

Majjane operates on the DVBNative IP (DVB-NIP) standard, which facilitates IP-based content delivery over satellite. DVB-NIP is considered a game-changer because it bridges the gap between traditional broadcast and modern IP-based delivery, allowing satellite to efficiently reach millions of devices while maintaining the reliability and cost-effectiveness of broadcast infrastructure. Majjane takes full advantage of this by delivering both live channels and preloaded VOD at scale, without relying on terrestrial connectivity.

“Today, the main problem with streaming content is that not all users are equal, which presents a big problem for broadcasters and providers,” Lotfy notes. “Patchy broadband services result in a frustrating viewing experience for many, and several regions are still unserved by any terrestrial connectivity. Satellite, which has no geographical boundaries, has been overlooked for too long in the case of IP video distribution. With the growth of IP-based linear and file-based/on-demand video content available to global consumers, coupled with changing consumer viewing preferences, satellite technology can cost-effectively and reliably benefit providers of video streaming services.”

Although Majjane is initially being launched in MENA, leveraging the strong coverage and strategic positioning of the Eutelsat–Nilesat 7/8° West orbital slot, its underlying technology is scalable and globally adaptable. Eutelsat, therefore, intends to extend the service gradually to regions, where it will be most effective, particularly in underserved, rural, or infrastructure-limited areas, such as Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia and so on.

Majjane’s scalability is deeply rooted in the DVB-NIP standard, which fundamentally transforms satellite content delivery. By broadcasting IP-native content, the platform can support future extensions such as encrypted channels, paid VOD, or interactive services without requiring infrastructure overhauls. Native IP also enables hybrid satellite/ terrestrial models, allowing return paths for personalisation or updates via 4G/5G or Wi-Fi where available. This flexibility positions Majjane to evolve alongside user expectations and diverse market demands.

One key advantage of DVBNIP is its ability to support modular, regionalised content delivery. This opens the door for local broadcasters, educational institutions and niche content creators to contribute or license content adapted to specific markets. In addition, lessons, training modules and awareness campaigns in multiple languages can be broadcast to schools, clinics and other underserved locations, making critical resources accessible in disconnected regions.

Balancing tech and commercial strategies

Majjane’s VOD library, curated by Noovo, includes popular movies, series, and thematic collections designed to reflect regional trends. Noovo leads the B2C application layer of the service, working with rights holders, broadcasters and content partners to select and update the catalogue while staying within satellite delivery constraints.

When asked how it compares with commercial OTT platforms, Lotfy clarifies: “Majjane isn’t an ‘offline Netflix’ but a satellite-based multiscreen broadcast service delivering live channels and selected VOD without internet or data fees.”

Reception of Majjane requires a satellite dish aligned to 7/8° West and a compatible receiver, such as those supplied by EKT or Noovo, which integrates WiFi for distribution to multiple devices. Existing dishes can be used; otherwise, the hardware is widely available. For extended VOD functionality, Lotfy recommends connecting to an external hard drive to be able to have access to thousands of movies. Retail pricing is positioned between ¤30 and ¤60, keeping adoption accessible, says Lotfy.

While Majjane is positioned for consumers, it also demonstrates DVB-NIP’s capabilities in B2B contexts, from hospitality and transportation to public-sector applications. Majjane’s current DVB-NIP-based platform focuses on efficient one-way content delivery, but future iterations could integrate hybrid solutions to enable interactive features, personalised content requests and upstream data transmission, maintaining its core strength of broad, low-cost, high-quality satellite distribution, says Lotfy.

He also points out that with Majjane, direct monetisation isn’t Eutelsat’s primary goal. “Rather, it aligns with our broader objective to expand platform usage and ecosystem uptake across both B2C and B2B contexts,” explains Lotfy.

MENA launch and future outlook

Majjane is primarily intended to be a real-world application of the DVB-NIP standard. Eutelsat promotes the B2B use of this standard by providing satellite capacity and the headend platform, while Majjane represents a B2C implementation developed for the MENA market. In this setup, Noovo delivers the consumer-facing experience, including NIP-compatible devices and applications for individual or collective use.

“Eutelsat’s broader vision is ecosystem alignment, where existing OTT applications can be adapted to become NIP-compatible, allowing them to deliver content via satellite without dependency on internet infrastructure. This approach isn’t about competing with IP streaming, but about extending reach and improving reliability, especially in congested or underserved areas. Majjane is an example of how DVB-NIP can bridge that gap between traditional broadcast and OTT, enabling hybrid delivery models that are scalable and inclusive,” concludes Lotfy.