Free to air Sat TV channels reach 370 in the Arab World

By mid August 2007, the total number of FTA satellite channels reached 370 on Arabsat, Nilesat and new entrant Noorsat. Arab Advisors Group research revealed that the highest number of channel types were the Private sector general channels at 56, followed by Music channels which totaled 54 and government-owned general channels which totaled 38.

A new report, "Satellite TV in the Arab World 2007" was released to the Arab Advisors Group's Media Strategic Research Service subscribers on September 26, 2006.

The 64-pages report, which has 20 detailed exhibits, provides a detailed analysis of the FTA satellite channels targeting the Arab region as of Mid August 2006. The channels are analyzed according to their type and content, broadcasting language, main offices, ownership (state owned or private) and satellite carriers.

In addition, the satellite systems included in the analysis are Arabsat, Nilesat and Noorsat. This is because the trend is for any FTA satellite channel targeting the Arab World is to broadcast on Nilesat and/or Arabsat. Recently, Noorsat joined the fray based on leased capacity from Euelsat's satellites.

Any investment in this report will count towards an annual Strategic Research Service subscription - Media should the service be acquired within three months from purchasing the report.

"The UAE hosts the highest number of channels with 22.2% of the total channels on Arabsat, Nilesat and Noorsat based in the UAE. Saudi Arabia and Egypt follow the UAE with 15.4% and 11.6% of the channels respectively." Mr. Issa Goussous, Arab Advisors research analyst, wrote in the report.

"In line with the liberalization of the audio visual sectors in the region, the number of private satellite channels exceeds the number of government owned channels: Around 71% of the total FTA satellite channels are owned by the private sector,"

Mr. Goussous added.