Despite the promotions of Pay TV operators, most of the Arab World remains tuned to free-to-air satellite TV channels, says new study released by the Arab Advisors Group
New research and analysis by the Arab Advisors Group reveals that as of February 2012 the four satellite Pay TV operators, broadcasting from the region, offered a combined total of 143 channels. Arab Advisors upcoming 9th Convergence Summit on May 22 and 23 will host industry leaders discussing the vibrant broadcast industry in the Arab World.
OSN had the highest number with 100 channels (including the 3 pay-per-view channels and On Demand channel), Abu Dhabi Sports came in second with 18 channels
Four satellite Pay TV providers broadcast from the Arab World namely: Orbit Showtime Network (OSN), Al Jazeera Sports+, Abu Dhabi Sports and Al Majd. Expectedly, Al Jazeera Sports+ offers the highest number of sports Pay TV channels with 16 sports channels.
A new report, “Satellite Pay TV operators in the Arab World 2012” was released to the Arab Advisors Group’s Media Strategic Research Service subscribers on April 10, 2012. The 65-page report, which has 25 detailed exhibits, analyses the landscape of satellite Pay TV and profiles the four operators including OSN, Al Jazeera Sports+, Abu Dhabi Sports and Al Majd. The report also compares the channels, packages, prices, dealers and interactive services of the four satellite Pay TV operators, in addition to full listing of channels, packages, prices and dealers.
Three of the four Pay TV providers offer HD channels: OSN, Abu Dhabi Sports and Al Jazeera Sports+.
“By February 2012, the four Pay TV providers offered 143 channels. OSN had the highest number with 100 channels (including the 3 pay-per-view channels and On Demand channel), Abu Dhabi Sports came in second with 18 channels, while Al Jazeera Sports+ provided 16 channels dedicated for all sorts of sports events. Al Majd TV provided nine encoded channels,” Zaid Abawi, Arab Advisors Research analyst wrote in the report.
“Despite the promotions of Pay TV operators, most of the Arab World remains tuned to free-to-air satellite TV channels. Economically, many viewers seem to favor the free content of FTA channels rather than paying for TV content,” Abawi added.
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