Jump to content

Orbit Communications Company: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 17: Line 17:
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
}}
}}
'''Orbit Communications Company''' was a privately owned [[Pay television|Pay TV]] network, operating in [[Bahrain]]. Owned by [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia{{En dash}}]]<nowiki/>based [[Mawarid Holding]] (via Digital Media Systems),<ref>[http://www.zawya.com/cm/profile.cfm?companyid=1000189 Zawya - Mawarid Holding]</ref><ref>[http://www.zawya.com/cm/profile.cfm/cid1001503/ Zawya - Orbit Satellite Television and Radio Network]</ref> it was the first fully [[Digital data|digital]], multi-channel, multi-lingual, [[pay television]] service in the [[Middle East]] and [[North Africa]] and was also the world's first fully end to end digital TV network.<ref>ORBIT PLANS TV SERVICE. telecompaper, 9 December 1993 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/orbit-plans-tv-service--13295</ref> Launched in 1994, it was originally situated in Tor Sapienza, Rome, Italy as the location was considered entirely suitable to build a satellite farm.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}<ref name="Fact Provided By Former Employee">Fact Provided By Former Employee</ref> Orbit employed around 600 employees{{When|date=June 2020}} who were largely a combination of British and Italian staff with several Arabic speaking nations also represented.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}<ref name="Fact Provided By Former Employee"/> Orbit broadcast in several languages around the world including [[English language|English]], [[Arabic]], [[French language|French]] and [[Filipino language|Filipino]].
'''Orbit Communications Company''' was a privately owned [[Pay TV]] network, operating in [[Bahrain]]. Owned by [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi Arabia{{En dash}}]]<nowiki/>based [[Mawarid Holding]] (via Digital Media Systems),<ref>[http://www.zawya.com/cm/profile.cfm?companyid=1000189 Zawya - Mawarid Holding]</ref><ref>[http://www.zawya.com/cm/profile.cfm/cid1001503/ Zawya - Orbit Satellite Television and Radio Network]</ref> it was the first fully [[Digital data|digital]], multi-channel, multi-lingual, [[pay television]] service in the [[Middle East]] and [[North Africa]] and was also the world's first fully end to end digital TV network.<ref>ORBIT PLANS TV SERVICE. telecompaper, 9 December 1993 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/orbit-plans-tv-service--13295</ref> Launched in 1994, it was originally situated in Tor Sapienza, Rome, Italy as the location was considered entirely suitable to build a satellite farm.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}<ref name="Fact Provided By Former Employee">Fact Provided By Former Employee</ref> Orbit employed around 600 employees{{When|date=June 2020}} who were largely a combination of British and Italian staff with several Arabic speaking nations also represented.{{Citation needed|date=June 2020}}<ref name="Fact Provided By Former Employee"/> Orbit broadcast in several languages around the world including [[English language|English]], [[Arabic language|Arabic]], [[French language|French]] and [[Filipino language|Filipino]].


Some of Orbit's Arabic channels including Bahrain TV, Al Safwa, Fann, Al Yawm, Cinema 1, Cinema 2, Mousalsalat and Mousalsalat +2 are available throughout North and South America through [[myTV (Arabic)]].<ref>http://www.my-tv.us/PackagesListing.aspx?pageid=29</ref>
Some of Orbit's Arabic channels including Bahrain TV, Al Safwa, Fann, Al Yawm, Cinema 1, Cinema 2, Mousalsalat and Mousalsalat +2 are available throughout North and South America through [[myTV (Arabic)]].<ref>http://www.my-tv.us/PackagesListing.aspx?pageid=29</ref>
Line 28: Line 28:
* XD 200-[[Technosat]]
* XD 200-[[Technosat]]
* XD 300-[[Philips]]
* XD 300-[[Philips]]
* XD 400-[[Humax]] ''([[Digital video recorder|PVR - Personal Video Recorder]])''
* XD 400-[[Humax]] ''([[Personal Video Recorder|PVR - Personal Video Recorder]])''


This allowed the following features:
This allowed the following features:
Line 65: Line 65:
**Cine TV (it's closed)
**Cine TV (it's closed)
**Film World (it's closed)
**Film World (it's closed)
**[[TNT Africa|Turner Classic Movies]] (it's closed)
**[[Turner Classic Movies]] (it's closed)
**[[MBC 2 (Middle Eastern and North African TV channel)|MBC 2]]
**[[MBC 2 (Middle Eastern and North African TV channel)|MBC 2]]
**[[MBC Max]]
**[[MBC Max]]
Line 114: Line 114:
**[[History (Southeast Asian TV channel)|The History Channel]]
**[[History (Southeast Asian TV channel)|The History Channel]]
**[[H2 (A&E Networks)#MENA|The History Channel 2]]
**[[H2 (A&E Networks)#MENA|The History Channel 2]]
**[[National Geographic (Asian TV channel)#Feeds|National Geographic]]
**[[National Geographic (American TV channel)|National Geographic]]
**[[National Geographic Abu Dhabi]]
**[[National Geographic Abu Dhabi]]
**[[Nat Geo Wild#Middle East and North Africa|Nat Geo Wild]]
**[[Nat Geo Wild]]
**[[Discovery Science (European TV channel)|Discovery Science]]
**[[Discovery Science (European TV channel)|Discovery Science]]
**[[Discovery Channel (Middle Eastern and North African TV channel)|Discovery Channel]]
**[[Discovery Channel (Middle Eastern and North African TV channel)|Discovery Channel]]
Line 122: Line 122:
**Crime Investigation Network
**Crime Investigation Network
*'''News:'''
*'''News:'''
**[[OSN News|Orbit News]] (it's closed)
**[[Orbit News]] (it's closed)
**Orbit News 2 (it's closed)
**Orbit News 2 (it's closed)
**[[CNBC]]
**[[CNBC]]
**[[CNN International]]
**[[CNN International]]
**[[CNBC Arabia|CNBC Arabiya]]
**[[CNBC Arabiya]]
**[[Bloomberg Television]]
**[[Bloomberg Television]]
**[[Sky News]]
**[[Sky News]]
Line 138: Line 138:
**[[Fox News]]
**[[Fox News]]
**[[BBC Arabic]] (it's closed)
**[[BBC Arabic]] (it's closed)
**[[BBC News (international TV channel)|BBC World News]]
**[[BBC World News]]
*'''Music:'''
*'''Music:'''
**[[MTV 00s|MTV 2000's]] (it's closed)
**[[MTV 00s|MTV 2000's]] (it's closed)
**[[MTV Live (International TV channel)|MTV Live]] (it's closed)
**[[MTV Live (TV channel)|MTV Live]] (it's closed)
**Music Now
**Music Now
**Fann
**Fann
Line 166: Line 166:
**The Hollywood Channel (It's closed)
**The Hollywood Channel (It's closed)
**Hollywood Star! (It's closed)
**Hollywood Star! (It's closed)
**[[FashionTV#Middle East & North Africa|Fashion TV]] (it's closed)
**[[Fashion TV]] (it's closed)
**[[TLC (TV network)#International|TLC]]
**[[TLC (TV network)#International|TLC]]
**[[BBC Prime]]
**[[BBC Prime]]
Line 174: Line 174:
**[[MBC 1 (Middle Eastern and North African TV channel)|MBC 1]]
**[[MBC 1 (Middle Eastern and North African TV channel)|MBC 1]]
**[[MBC 4]]
**[[MBC 4]]
**[[MBC Group#MBC 5|MBC 5]]
**[[MBC 5]]
**Abu Dhabi TV
**Abu Dhabi TV
**Emarat TV
**Emarat TV
Line 259: Line 259:


== Orbit ESPN's disappearance ==
== Orbit ESPN's disappearance ==
On 1 April 2008,<ref>[http://newlywedindubai.com/year2/2008/04/where-hell-is-orbit-espn.html Newlywed in Dubai]</ref> after being on the air since 1994,<ref>[http://www.ameinfo.com/29104.html Orbit and ESPN International renew programming distribution agreement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415081545/http://www.ameinfo.com/29104.html|date=2008-04-15}}</ref> [[Orbit ESPN]] disappeared from the Orbit lineup. This left Orbit without coverage of the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]], [[Major League Baseball]], the [[National Hockey League]], [[Major League Soccer]], the [[National Football League]], [[NASCAR]], major golf and tennis tournaments, and the premier action sports franchise in the world, ESPN's [[X Games]].
On 1 April 2008,<ref>[http://newlywedindubai.com/year2/2008/04/where-hell-is-orbit-espn.html Newlywed in Dubai]</ref> after being on the air since 1994,<ref>[http://www.ameinfo.com/29104.html Orbit and ESPN International renew programming distribution agreement] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080415081545/http://www.ameinfo.com/29104.html|date=2008-04-15}}</ref> [[Orbit ESPN]] disappeared from the Orbit lineup. This left Orbit without coverage of the [[NCAA]], [[Major League Baseball]], the [[National Hockey League]], [[Major League Soccer]], the [[National Football League]], [[NASCAR]], major golf and tennis tournaments, and the premier action sports franchise in the world, ESPN's [[X Games]].


[[Fox Sports (Middle Eastern TV channel)|Fox Sports]] replaced [[Orbit ESPN]] on 13 January 2009.
[[Fox Sports International|Fox Sports]] replaced [[Orbit ESPN]] on 13 January 2009.


One of the reasons that break the contract with ESPN is the severe financial problems happened at that time, since 1999-2000 the production graph line has been moved down. In 2009, a major delay in paying salaries for orbit employees in Egypt, Lebanon and KSA for more than 4 months.
One of the reasons that break the contract with ESPN is the severe financial problems happened at that time, since 1999-2000 the production graph line has been moved down. In 2009, a major delay in paying salaries for orbit employees in Egypt, Lebanon and KSA for more than 4 months.


== BBC Arabic Television ==
== [[BBC News Arabic|BBC Arabic Television]] ==
[[BBC News Arabic|BBC Arabic Television]] was originally transmitted via Orbit from 1994 until April 21, 1996, when it was taken off air by Orbit after the channel broadcast an episode of the BBC ''Panorama'' program critical of the Saudi Arabian government. Many of the BBC Arabic Television staff then went to work for [[Al Jazeera]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.preddonlee.com/al_jazeera_origins.html|title = Al Jazeera's BBC origins}}</ref> The BBC has since relaunched the channel autonomously in 2008.
[[BBC Arabic Television]] was originally transmitted via Orbit from 1994 until April 21, 1996, when it was taken off air by Orbit after the channel broadcast an episode of the BBC ''Panorama'' program critical of the Saudi Arabian government. Many of the BBC Arabic Television staff then went to work for [[Al Jazeera]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.preddonlee.com/al_jazeera_origins.html|title = Al Jazeera's BBC origins}}</ref> The BBC has since relaunched the channel autonomously in 2008.


== Orbit Packages ==
== Orbit Packages ==
Line 282: Line 282:
On 12 July 2009, ''[[Showtime Arabia]]'' and ''Orbit Communications Company'' announced a merger that created the “biggest Pay-TV platform” in the [[Middle East]] and [[North Africa]].<ref name=chiba>{{cite journal|title=A Comparative Study on the Pan-Arab Media Strategies: The Cases of Egypt and Saudi Arabia|date=February 2012|volume=5|issue=1&2|url=http://www.asafas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kias/pdf/kb5_1and2/07chiba.pdf|access-date=13 February 2014|author=Chiba Yushi|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025724/http://www.asafas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kias/pdf/kb5_1and2/07chiba.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
On 12 July 2009, ''[[Showtime Arabia]]'' and ''Orbit Communications Company'' announced a merger that created the “biggest Pay-TV platform” in the [[Middle East]] and [[North Africa]].<ref name=chiba>{{cite journal|title=A Comparative Study on the Pan-Arab Media Strategies: The Cases of Egypt and Saudi Arabia|date=February 2012|volume=5|issue=1&2|url=http://www.asafas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kias/pdf/kb5_1and2/07chiba.pdf|access-date=13 February 2014|author=Chiba Yushi|archive-date=4 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025724/http://www.asafas.kyoto-u.ac.jp/kias/pdf/kb5_1and2/07chiba.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>


The newly formed company, which is called OSN,<ref name=chiba/> is an equal partnership that would offer 70 exclusive channels featuring new [[Film|movies]], [[Sport|sports]], [[Television show|series]], [[Arabic]] content and international shows.
The newly formed company, which is called OSN,<ref name=chiba/> is an equal partnership that would offer 70 exclusive channels featuring new [[movies]], [[sports]], [[Television program|series]], [[Arabic language|Arabic]] content and international shows.


New customers can subscribe to packages featuring [[Showtime Arabia|Showtime Arabia's]] and ''Orbit Communications Company'''s programs, while existing subscribers will be able to either retain or upgrade their content. The company will offer [[High-definition television|HD]] channels, [[video on demand]] and other [[Interactive television|interactive]] services.
New customers can subscribe to packages featuring [[Showtime Arabia|Showtime Arabia's]] and ''Orbit Communications Company'''s programs, while existing subscribers will be able to either retain or upgrade their content. The company will offer [[High-definition television|HD]] channels, [[video on demand]] and other [[Interactive television|interactive]] services.
Line 288: Line 288:
== References ==
== References ==
<!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags-->
<!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags-->
{{Reflist}}
{{reflist}}


== External links ==
== External links ==

Revision as of 08:04, 5 October 2023

This article is about the old Orbit. For the company's current successor, see OSN.

Orbit TV
Company typeSatellite television
IndustryTelecommunication
Founded10 August 1994; 30 years ago (1994-08-10)
Defunct14 September 2009; 15 years ago (2009-09-14)
FateMerged with Showtime Arabia into Orbit Showtime
HeadquartersManama, Bahrain
ProductsDirect broadcast satellite and Satellite Internet
OwnerPrivately owned by Mawarid Holding [via Digital Media Systems]
WebsiteOfficial Site

Orbit Communications Company was a privately owned Pay TV network, operating in Bahrain. Owned by Saudi Arabia–based Mawarid Holding (via Digital Media Systems),[1][2] it was the first fully digital, multi-channel, multi-lingual, pay television service in the Middle East and North Africa and was also the world's first fully end to end digital TV network.[3] Launched in 1994, it was originally situated in Tor Sapienza, Rome, Italy as the location was considered entirely suitable to build a satellite farm.[citation needed][4] Orbit employed around 600 employees[when?] who were largely a combination of British and Italian staff with several Arabic speaking nations also represented.[citation needed][4] Orbit broadcast in several languages around the world including English, Arabic, French and Filipino.

Some of Orbit's Arabic channels including Bahrain TV, Al Safwa, Fann, Al Yawm, Cinema 1, Cinema 2, Mousalsalat and Mousalsalat +2 are available throughout North and South America through myTV (Arabic).[5]

In 2009, the company merged with Showtime Arabia to form OSN, which is currently the biggest pay-TV provider in the MENA region.

Technology

Orbit had launched four multi-function interactive decoders:

This allowed the following features:

  • 2-level parental control (Channel & Rating).
  • 7-day bilingual electronic program guide.
  • 22 radio channels of music & news & entertainment.
  • Arabic subtitles & multi-lingual audio on selected channels.

Channel lineup

  • Promotional:
    • Marhaba TV (it's closed)
    • TVMAX Promo (it's closed)
    • Orbit Promotional Channel (before Marhaba TV) (it's closed)
    • Orbit Express Shop (it's closed)
    • Osn Promotional Channel
  • Movies:
  • Arabic Movies:
    • ART Aflam 1 (it's closed)
    • ART Aflam 2 (it's closed)
    • ART Cinema (it's closed)
    • Cinema 1 (before Al Oula)
    • Cinema 2
    • English Movies:
    • Star Movies (it's closed)
    • Super Movies (it's closed)
    • Super Movies +1 (it's closed)
    • Super Movies +2 (it's closed)
    • Cinema City (it's closed)
    • Cinema City +1 (it's closed)
    • Cinema City +2 (it's closed)
    • MGM (it's closed)
    • Xtra Movies (it's closed)
    • Xtra Movies +2 (it's closed)
    • Cine TV (it's closed)
    • Film World (it's closed)
    • Turner Classic Movies (it's closed)
    • MBC 2
    • MBC Max
    • MBC Action
    • Rotana Cinema
    • Rotana Comedy
    • Rotana Classic
  • Sports:
    • Edge Sport
    • Bahrain Sports 1
    • Bahrain Sports 2
    • KSA Sports 1
    • KSA Sports 2
    • Al Riyadiyah 1 (it's closed)
    • Al Riyadiyah 2 (it's closed)
    • Al Riyadiyah 3 (it's closed)
    • Al Riyadiyah 4 (it's closed)
    • Al Riyadiyah 5 (it's closed)
    • Al Riyadiyah 6 (it's closed)
    • Al Riyadiyah 7 (it's closed)
    • Al Riyadiyah 8 (it's closed)
    • Abu Dhabi Sports 1
    • Abu Dhabi Sports 2
    • Abu Dhabi Sports 3
    • Abu Dhabi Sports 4
    • Orbit ESPN (it's closed)
    • Orbit Sports (it's closed)
    • Orbit Sports 1 (it's closed)
    • Orbit Sports 2 (it's closed)
    • Orbit Sports 3 (it's closed)
    • Orbit Sports 4 (it's closed)
    • Orbit Sports 5 (it's closed)
    • BeIN Sports
    • BeIN Sports News
    • BeIN Sports NBA
    • BeIN Sports Premium
  • Kids and Documentary and Culture:
  • News:
  • Music:
    • MTV 2000's (it's closed)
    • MTV Live (it's closed)
    • Music Now
    • Fann
    • Rotana Music
    • Rotana Clip
    • Rotana Khalijiah
    • Wanasah (it's closed)
  • Series and Lifestyle:
    • Al Safwa (before Al Thania)
    • Al Yawm (before Al Thalitha)
    • Fann
    • ART Hekayat (it's closed)
    • ART Hekayat 2 (it's closed)
    • Arabic Series Channel
    • Arabic Series Channel +4 (it's closed)
    • Arabic Series Channel +2
    • Super Comedy (it's closed)
    • Super Comedy +1 (it's closed)
    • Super Comedy +2 (it's closed)
    • America Plus (it's closed)
    • America Plus +1 (it's closed)
    • Star World
    • E!
    • The Hollywood Channel (It's closed)
    • Hollywood Star! (It's closed)
    • Fashion TV (it's closed)
    • TLC
    • BBC Prime
    • BBC Earth
    • BBC First
    • BBC Lifestyle
    • MBC 1
    • MBC 4
    • MBC 5
    • Abu Dhabi TV
    • Emarat TV
    • Sharjah TV
    • Dubai TV
    • MBC Masr 1
    • MBC Masr 2
    • Bahrain TV
    • Bahrain International
    • Bahrain Lawal
    • Bahrain Quran Kareem Channel (It's closed)
    • Saudi TV
    • SBC
    • Saudi Quran Kareem Channel
    • Qatar TV
    • AlRayyan TV
    • TV5Monde Maghreb Orient
  • Pay Per View:
    • TVMAX 1 (it's closed)
    • TVMAX 2 (it's closed)
    • TVMAX 3 (it's closed)
    • TVMAX Sports 1 (it's closed)
    • TVMAX Sports 2 (it's closed)
    • TVMAX Sports 3 (it's closed)
    • Showtime TVMAX (5 channels) (it's closed)
    • OSN On Demand (before Show On Demand)
  • Pinoy:
  • Lebanese:
    • LBCI (it's closed)
    • Tele Liban (it's closed)
    • Aghani Aghani TV (it's closed)
    • MTV One Lebanon (it's closed)
    • Alfa Channel Before:
    • Al Thalitha (after Al Yawm)
    • AL Oula (after Cinema 1)
    • Al Thania (after Al Safwa)
    • Music Now
    • The Series Channel
    • Alfa Channel After:
    • Al Yawm
    • Al Safwa
    • Music Now
    • The Series Channel
    • The Series Channel +4 (it's closed)
    • The Series Channel +2
    • Cinema 1
    • Cinema 2
    • Fann
  • Radio:
    • Monawa't (it's closed)
    • Tarabiya't (it's closed)
    • Khalijya't (it's closed)
    • Orbit Music's Radio (it's closed)
    • Orbit Radio with BBC International (it's closed)
    • Radio Rotana
    • GMA DZBB
    • Radio Mosaic
    • BBC World Service Arabic
    • BBC World Service English
    • Monte Carlo Doualiya
    • Al Jazeera Radio
    • Sky News Arabic
    • GMA DZBB
    • DWLS FM
    • Radio Bahrain Arabic
    • Radio Bahrain English
    • AFN Bahrain FM
    • BFBS Bahrain
    • The Voice Of Ummah
    • BBC Radio 3
    • BBC Radio 4
    • MBC FM
    • Panorama FM
    • Al Arabiya FM
    • Mood FM
    • Quran Kareem FM
  • Free-to-air:

Up To 500 and more Free-to-air television and radio channels (including Arabsat, Nilesat, Hotbird... – based on type of connection).

Orbit ESPN's disappearance

On 1 April 2008,[6] after being on the air since 1994,[7] Orbit ESPN disappeared from the Orbit lineup. This left Orbit without coverage of the NCAA, Major League Baseball, the National Hockey League, Major League Soccer, the National Football League, NASCAR, major golf and tennis tournaments, and the premier action sports franchise in the world, ESPN's X Games.

Fox Sports replaced Orbit ESPN on 13 January 2009.

One of the reasons that break the contract with ESPN is the severe financial problems happened at that time, since 1999-2000 the production graph line has been moved down. In 2009, a major delay in paying salaries for orbit employees in Egypt, Lebanon and KSA for more than 4 months.

BBC Arabic Television

BBC Arabic Television was originally transmitted via Orbit from 1994 until April 21, 1996, when it was taken off air by Orbit after the channel broadcast an episode of the BBC Panorama program critical of the Saudi Arabian government. Many of the BBC Arabic Television staff then went to work for Al Jazeera.[8] The BBC has since relaunched the channel autonomously in 2008.

Orbit Packages

(The Following Packages are Orbit's Main Packages) (Packages May differ from Country to Another)

  • Super Mega: Super Mega includes all Arabic and Western Orbit TV Channels. Plus, 22 Radio Chanels and 4 TV MAX Channels.
  • Super Prime: Super Prime includes only Orbits' Western Channels, plus NBA TV, Al Riyadiyah, Music Now, MTV Arabia. Plus, 22 Radio Channels and 4 TV MAX Channels.
  • Alfa: Includes all Orbits' Arabic Channels, plus CNN International and Music Now. Plus, 22 Radio Channels and 4 TV MAX Channels.
  • Family: The best in Family entertainment: Al Safwa, Al Yawm, Fann, Music Now, Arabic Series Channel, MTV Arabia, Fun Channel, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Spacetoon, Nickelodeon, The History Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, CNN International, Bloomberg Television, Euronews, CNN International, Al Riyadiyah, NBA TV, Hollywood Channel (Zone Club), BBC Prime, Super Comedy, Discovery Travel & Living, 4 TV MAX channels. Plus, 22 Radio Channels.
  • Pinoy Plus: The best in Filipino programming: GMA Pinoy TV, NBN Pinoy News, GMA Life TV. Plus, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, MGM Movies, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, Hollywood Channel (Zone Club), Fashion TV, Music Now, Trace TV, MTV Arabia, CNN International, NBA TV, 22 Radio Channels and 4 TV MAX Channels.
  • Kids: The package includes the best in kids entertainment, documentary channels and sports channels: Fun Channel, Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Spacetoon, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, The History Channel, NBA TV. Plus, 22 Radio Channels and 4 TV MAX Channels. (Kids package is only available as a second subscription only).

Showtime Arabia merger

On 12 July 2009, Showtime Arabia and Orbit Communications Company announced a merger that created the “biggest Pay-TV platform” in the Middle East and North Africa.[9]

The newly formed company, which is called OSN,[9] is an equal partnership that would offer 70 exclusive channels featuring new movies, sports, series, Arabic content and international shows.

New customers can subscribe to packages featuring Showtime Arabia's and Orbit Communications Company's programs, while existing subscribers will be able to either retain or upgrade their content. The company will offer HD channels, video on demand and other interactive services.

References

  1. ^ Zawya - Mawarid Holding
  2. ^ Zawya - Orbit Satellite Television and Radio Network
  3. ^ ORBIT PLANS TV SERVICE. telecompaper, 9 December 1993 http://www.telecompaper.com/news/orbit-plans-tv-service--13295
  4. ^ a b Fact Provided By Former Employee
  5. ^ http://www.my-tv.us/PackagesListing.aspx?pageid=29
  6. ^ Newlywed in Dubai
  7. ^ Orbit and ESPN International renew programming distribution agreement Archived 2008-04-15 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Al Jazeera's BBC origins".
  9. ^ a b Chiba Yushi (February 2012). "A Comparative Study on the Pan-Arab Media Strategies: The Cases of Egypt and Saudi Arabia" (PDF). 5 (1&2). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 13 February 2014. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Orbit_Communications_Company&oldid=1178694467"