Arab pay TV channels top 150 but FTA still reigns

OSNThe four leading satellite pay TV operators covering the Arab world now offer a combined total of 151 channels, according to research by Arab Advisors Group.

OSN is the leader in terms of the number of channels it offers among the four, which together with OSN is comprised of Al Jazeera Sports+, Abu Dhabi Sports and Al Majd.

According to the report, Satellite Pay TV Operators in the Arab World 2013, Al Jazeera Sports+ offers the highest number of sports pay TV channels with 20 services.
According to the report, OSN offers 102 channels, including three pay-per-view and on-demand services, while Abu Dhabi Sports and Al Jazeera Sports+ offer 20 channels each. Al Majd TV provides nine encrypted channels.

“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 favour the free content of FTA channels rather than paying for TV content,” said Hiba Al Atiyat, research analyst and report author.

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