By March 2009, the total number of FTA (free-to-air) satellite channels reached 474 broadcasting on Arabsat, Nilesat and/or Noorsat. Arab Advisors Group research revealed that the highest number of channel types were the private-sector general channels followed by government-sector general channels. These results were highlighted during Arab Advisors 6th annual media and telecoms convergence conference held in Amman on June 1 and 2, 2009.
A new report, Satellite TV in the Arab World 2009, was released to the Arab Advisors Group’s Media Strategic Research Service subscribers on May 18, 2009. The 84-pages report, which has 26 detailed exhibits, provides a detailed analysis of the FTA satellite channels targeting the Arab region as of March 2009. The channels are analyzed according to their type and content, broadcasting language, main offices, ownership (state owned, private or mixed ownership) and satellite carriers. In addition, the satellite systems included in the analysis are Arabsat, Nilesat and Noorsat. 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.