The number of Arab Free to Air Satellite channels more than doubled between 2004 and 2006

73.8% of the FTA satellite channels are privately owned. This is attributable to the increase in the number of countries allowing private ownership in the Arab region.

A new report, "Satellite TV in the Arab World 2006" was released to the Arab Advisors Group's Media Strategic Research Service subscribers on December 4, 2006.

The 24-page report, which has 16 detailed exhibits, provides a detailed analysis of the FTA satellite channels targeting the Arab region as of October 2006. The channels are analyzed according to their broadcasting language, main offices, ownership (state owned or private) and satellite carriers.

Arab Advisors Group's analysis reveals that over 90% of FTA satellite channels include programs in Arabic. Channels corresponding to general programs types continue to dominate other program types making up 25.9% of FTA channels by October 2006. The analysis in this report also shows that a vast majority of the satellite channels broadcasting on Arabsat and Nilesat are privately owned and a higher number of channels broadcast on Nilesat compared to Arabsat.

"The gulf countries host the highest number of Arab FTA satellite channels encompassing close to half of the total channels targeting the region" Ms. Lina Juma, Arab Advisors Senior Research Analyst wrote in the report. "The Levant and North Africa regions respectively follow the GCC with a small difference between them." Ms. Juma added.