MENA FTA channels rise to 854 but 90% broadcast in SD: Arab Advisors

The number of FTA satellite channels in the Arab world reached 854 as of May 2016, according to a new report by Arab Advisors Group. The 854 analysed channels broadcast on Arabsat, Nilesat, Noorsat and Yahlive with 821 fully operational channels. The majority of the analysed FTA satellite channels broadcast in Standard Definition (SD), while 2.1% 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 736% in the number of FTA satellite channels which broadcast in SD between January 2004 and May 2016. Based on Arab Advisors Group research, by May 2016, the total number of unique FTA satellite channels reached 854 on Arabsat, Nilesat, Noorsat and Yahlive. The number of the fully launched and operational channels excluding channels in the test transmission phase, reached 821, up from 762 in September 2014.

A new report Satellite TV in the Arab World 2016 was released to the Arab Advisors Group’s Media Strategic Research Service subscribers on July 3, 2016 and provides a comprehensive analysis of the FTA satellite channels targeting the Arab region as of May 2016. The channels are analysed according to their type, broadcast language, headquarters (main offices), ownership (state owned, private or mixed ownership) and satellite carriers.

“91.5% of the operational FTA satellite channels broadcast in Standard Definition (SD) only, 2.1% broadcast in High Definition (HD) only, while 6.6% air in both transmission methods,” said Noor Al Asmar, Arab Advisors Senior Research Analyst.

“35.3% of the total 821 fully launched and operational FTA satellite channels are headquartered in the African region. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Levant regions follow with percentages of 28.4% and 19.7%, respectively,” added Hiba Al Atiyat, Arab Advisors Senior Research Analyst who wrote in the report.