While 93.9 per cent of Saudi Arabia's households have Satellite TV, some 48.4 per cent of households still tune into terrestrial TV

Still, this percentage is quite low when compared to the 93.9% who own a satellite dish. Moreover, 73.7% of people in Saudi Arabia also listen to Radio Programs, with over half of them tuning to Radio on a daily basis.

Arab Advisors Group's major analytical survey of Saudi Arabia's main cities' population was scientifically done. The survey involved face to face interviews with 674 respondents from different households in the Western district (Makkah, Jeddah, Madinah), Riyadh City, Dammam and Dharan, selected randomly in a manner proportionate to the estimated population size of the different areas. Respondents were 15 years old and above, and were cellular service users. This random survey is of the current cellular users in Saudi Arabia, and not the total population of the country. Saudi Arabia's GSM penetration stood at 60.5% by end of 2005. This survey provides deep insights into the media usage patterns in Saudi Arabia. The random survey has a 99% confidence level with a less than 5% margin of error. The survey included 130 detailed questions.

The survey revealed that the audience of news programs spans all age groups particularly in older age groups. A larger percentage of the younger generation watch games and contest shows, as well as fashion and music show. Additionally, while respondents of higher education levels mostly tune into political shows, high school and university levels students mostly tune into sports, health and fitness programs.

A new report, 'Saudi Arabia Media Survey 2007' was released by the Arab Advisors Group on January 20, 2007. This survey report can be purchased from the Arab Advisors Group for only US$ 2500.

The 107-page report, which has 141 detailed exhibits, provides the results of media usage patterns amongst cellular users households in Saudi Arabia (effectively all households given the high penetration of cellular services in Saudi Arabia). The major survey probed each household's media consumption habits and patterns related to Satellite TV, Terrestrial TV and Radio. The survey's fieldwork was conducted in October and November 2006. The report provides statistical analysis of the results and insightful detailed cross tabulations.

'Satellite dishes are widespread amongst cellular users households in Saudi Arabia with 93.9% of respondents stating that their household owns a satellite dish. This percentage indicates that a substantial amount of people in Saudi Arabia tune into FTA satellite channels when watching television.' Ms. Lina Juma, Arab Advisors Senior Research Analyst, wrote in the report. 'Equally important is the high share of households that have Pay TV. Some 30% of the urban households surveyed indicated that they have Pay TV services'.

The report provides a balanced focus in the following areas:

• General information

• TV viewing Patterns and Habit
- Satellite TV
- Credibility of News Channels
- Pay TV
- Terrestrial TV

• Movies at Home

• Radio

• Internet Media

• News Update

• Media Advertising

• Media Satisfaction