New statistics published by the Arab Adivers Group revealed that Egypt has the most satellite television channels in North Africa, and across the world Free to Air (FTA) satellite TV channels rose by 10.5 percent in the past year ending in April 2011.
According to the research, there are now 538 channels being broadcast on Arabsat, Egypt’s Nilesat and Noorsat.
The report also said that unlike in the past, the recent increase is a result of more private sector channels being implemented and started.
“The number of FTA satellite channels targeting the Arab region continues to grow,” a press release from the research group said. “The FTA landscape had a major growth of 438 percent in the number of FTA satellite channels between January 2004 and April 2011.”
The report, titled “Satellite TV in the Arab World 2011” has 27 detailed exhibits and provides a detailed analysis of the FTA satellite channels targeting the Arab region as of April 2011.
Hisham Radwan, an independent IT expert and analyst based in Cairo said that the private sector growth is something to watch. “We have long waited for the private sector to overtake the government in terms of providing free television and now it is happening, so we need to now watch to see what kind of revenue they will generate,” he said.
By Desmond Shephard
