The Majority of FTA Satellite TV channels in the Arab World Still Broadcast in SD

Amman, Jordan,  November 26, 2014--The number of FTA satellite channels in the Arab World reached 762 channels by September 2014. The Arab Advisors Group researched and analyzed the 762 channels that broadcast on Arabsat, Nilesat, Noorsat and Yahlive. Fully operational channels reached 724. The majority of the analyzed FTA satellite channels broadcast in Standard Definition (SD), while only 10.5% broadcast in High Definition (HD).

The number of Free to Air (FTA) satellite channels targeting the Arab region continues to grow. The FTA landscape had a major growth of 651% in the number of FTA satellite channels which broadcast in SD between January 2004 and September 2014. Based on Arab Advisors Group research, by September 2014, the total number of unique FTA satellite channels reached 762 on Arabsat, Nilesat, Noorsat and Yahlive. The number of the fully launched and operational channels; excluding channels in the test transmission phase, reached 724, up from 658 in May 2013.

A new report, “Satellite TV in the Arab World 2014” was released to the Arab Advisors Group’s Media Strategic Research Service subscribers on November 19, 2014. This report can be purchased from the Arab Advisors Group for only US$ 2,500.

The 100-page report, which has 32 detailed exhibits, provides a detailed analysis of the FTA satellite channels targeting the Arab region as of September 2014. The channels are analyzed according to their type, broadcast language, headquarters (main offices), ownership (state owned, private or mixed ownership) and satellite carriers. The satellite systems included in the analysis are Arabsat, Nilesat, Noorsat and Yahlive; this is due to the fact that the majority of FTA satellite channels targeting the Arab World are aired on one or more of these satellites. This report also includes an overview of channels that target the Arab World and broadcast exclusively through Eutelsat. 

"78.3% of the operational FTA satellite channels are privately owned." Dalia Haddad, Arab Advisors Senior Research Analyst, commented. "In terms of the types of channels, General-Private Sector channels constitute 22.4% of the operational FTA satellite channels followed by News and Current Affairs channels," Haddad added.

“A plurality of FTA channels are headquartered in Egypt which hosts 18.9% of the fully launched and operational FTA channels. The UAE and Iraq follow with percentages of 13.0% and 11.0%, respectivel “ Hind Qweider, Arab Advisors Senior Research Analyst said.