The number of FTA satellite channels in the Arab World reached 762 channels by September 2014.
The Arab Advisors Group researched and analysed the 762 channels that broadcast on Arabsat, Nilesat, Noorsat and Yahlive. Fully operational channels reached 724. The majority of the analyzed FTA satellite channels broadcast in SD, while 10.5% broadcast in HD.
The number of FTA satellite channels targeting the Arab region continues to grow. The FTA landscape had a major growth of 651% in the number of FTA satellite channels which broadcast in SD between January 2004 and September 2014.
Based on Arab Advisors Group research, by September 2014, the total number of unique FTA satellite channels reached 762 on Arabsat, Nilesat, Noorsat and Yahlive. The number of the fully launched and operational channels; excluding channels in the test transmission phase, reached 724, up from 658 in May 2013.
“78.3% of the operational FTA satellite channels are privately owned,” Ms. Dalia Haddad, Arab Advisors senior research analyst, commented.
“In terms of the types of channels, General-Private Sector channels constitute 22.4% of the operational FTA satellite channels followed by News and Current Affairs channels.”
“A plurality of FTA channels are headquartered in Egypt which hosts 18.9% of the fully launched and operational FTA channels. The UAE and Iraq follow with percentages of 13.0% and 11.0%, respectively “Ms. Hind Qweider, Arab Advisors senior research analyst, said.