Television in Bahrain

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In Bahrain, there are seven free-to-air television channels, four of which are privately owned. The country's public service broadcaster, Bahrain Radio and Television Corporation (BRTC), broadcasts over five terrestrial TV networks, including the popular . Around 35–40% of its output is locally produced.[1] Free satellite is the dominant television platform, reaching 51% of Bahraini households. The country has a relatively high pay-TV penetration, estimated at 51% in 2011. There are three main pay-TV operators: OSN, ART and Al Jazeera Sports.[1] The government-controlled Information Affairs Authority directly controls BRTC and indirectly controls the country's other television networks.

Bahrain Sports is a national TV channel offering various sports events in Arabic. Al Maaref TV is a religious TV channel founded in 2007. An opposition news station, LuaLua TV operates from London, though it is blocked in Bahrain.[2]

Television in Bahrain began in 1973, broadcasting five-hours per day.[3]

Bahrain historically hosted a number of pan-Arab broadcasters, including Orbit, which merged to form the OSN, and the MBC2 channel. It also hosts the Alarab News Channel funded by Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal of Saudi Arabia that covers political, economic and social issues related to the Arab region.[1]

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References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Arab Media Outlook 2011-2015" (PDF). 2012. pp. 176–177.
  2. ^ "Bahrain profile - Media". BBC News. Retrieved 1 February 2013.
  3. ^ Barrie Gunter; Roger Dickinson (6 June 2013). News Media in the Arab World: A Study of 10 Arab and Muslim Countries. A&C Black. p. 33. ISBN 1-4411-0239-6. Retrieved 8 February 2014.
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