Middle East pay TV channels stand at 143

The number of pay TV channels in the Middle East region stood at 143 at the end of February, according to a study by Arab Advisors Group.

The group said that the region’s four satellite pay TV operators – Orbit Showtime Network (OSN), Al Jazeera Sports Plus, Abu Dhabi Sports and Al Majd – offered a total of 143 channels. OSN offered the largest number of channels with 100, including three pay-per-view and one on-demand channel, while Al Jazeera Sports Plus offered the largest number of sports pay services with 16 channels. Al Majd TV offered nine encrypted channels.

Three of the four operators – OSN, Abu Dhabi Sports and Al Jazeera Sports Plus – offer HD services.