Foghound, production supplier for free2View

"The opportunities both for local content producers as well as advertisers are very exciting," commented Neil Symon, MD of Foghound Studios. "And we look forward to introducing our existing and new clients to this exciting new broadcaster."

F2V has an estimated population footprint of 850 million people and a known base of 50 million TV households excluding Nigeria where there is a further 50 million TV estimated households. IT uses technology that allows the broadcaster to control the signal demographically. Content is encrypted and available after registration via cell phone.

"The encrypted feed enables F2V to offer premium digital satellite television for free. We have therefore included content from the BBC, ITV, Freemantle and much, much more," comments Elissa Wilding, F2V CEO.

The technology also enables the broadcaster to provide exact and verifiable audience figures in the African market. While the signal is broadcast from Munich, Germany, F2V through its partnership with Foghound Studios, have local monitors checking content feeds. The new Free2View website has been created by Peter Furstenberg of Shine Interactive that will allow advertisers to check scheduling online.

"We believe this will open up the emerging African market to advertisers and sponsors in a whole new way," comments Wilding. The technology aims to provide verifiable data for advertisers and allow them to reach specific and select target markets.

Local content providers, in Africa are also able to provide sponsored content.