Orbit Communications Company is a privately owned Pay TV network, operating in the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Owned by Saudi Arabia-based Mawarid Holding (via Digital Media Systems),[1][2] it is the first fully digital, multi-channel, multi-lingual, pay television service in the Middle East and North Africa.citation needed Orbit broadcasts in Arabic, English, and Filipino.
The Technology
Orbit has launched 3 multi-function interactive decoders:
This allows 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.
Orbit Channel Lineup
- Promotional:
- Marhaba TV Free-To-Air
- TV MAX Promo Free-To-Air
- Arabic Channels:
- Al Safwa
- Al Yawm
- Fann
- Arabic Series Channel
- Arabic Series Channel +4
- Cinema 1
- Cinema 2
- Pay Per View:
- TV MAX 1 - Channel 90
- TV MAX 2 - Channel 91
- TV MAX 3 - Channel 92
- TV MAX 4 - Channel 93
Up to 500 Free-To-Air television and radio channels (including Arabsat, Nilesat, Hotbird... - based on type of connection).citation needed
Orbit ESPN's Disappearance
On April 1, 2008[3], after being on the air since 1994[4], Orbit ESPN disappeared from the Orbit lineup. This leaves 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.
A replacement sports channel has yet to be announced.
BBC Arabic Television
On 21st April 1996, after 2 years on air, Orbit Communications Corporation (owned by King Fahd's cousin, Prince Khaled) pulled the plug on BBC Arabic Television after the BBC broadcast an episode of Panorama that was critical of the Saudi Arabian government. Many of the staff who worked for the original BBC Arabic Television service went on to work for Al-Jazeera television. [5].
Orbit Packages
(THE FOLLOWING PACKAGES ARE ORBIT'S MAIN PACKAGES) (PACKAGES MAY DIFFER FROM COUNTRY TO ANOTHER)
- SUPER MEGA: Super Mega includes all Channels Except Filipino Channels Due To Price
- 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: Family entertainment: Al Safwa, Al Yawm, Fann, Music Now, Arabic Series Channel, MTV Arabia, Fun Channel (Jetix Play), Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Space Toon Arabic, Nickelodeon Arabia, The History Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, CNN International, Bloomberg TV, Euronews, CNN International, Al Riyadiah, NBA TV, Hollywood Channel (Zone Club), BBC Prime, Super Comedy, Discovery Travel & Living, 4 TV MAX channels. Plus, 22 Radio Channels.
- PINOY PLUS: 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 kids entertainment, documentary channels and sports channels: Fun Channel (Jetix Play), Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Space Toon Arabic, Nickelodeon Arabia, 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).
See also
External links
References
- ^ Zawya - Mawarid Holding
- ^ Zawya - Orbit Satellite Television and Radio Network
- ^ Newlywed in Dubai
- ^ Orbit and ESPN International renew programming distribution agreement
- ^ THE FAILED DREAM THAT LED TO AL-JAZEERA
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