TV Penetration on the Rise In the Middle East Region
A new report by TV Informa Telecoms & Media predicts a dramatic rise
in TV penetration in the Middle East and North Africa (the so-called MENA region)in
the next few years. The report foresees an increase in the current 56.2 percent
multi-channel TV penetration rate (29.5 million homes) to a projected 67.7
percent penetration rate (41 million homes) by 2010. Currently, Qatar has the
highest percentage of TV penetration in the region. Israel comes in a close
second, but has a much higher number of cable and satellite homes.
In 2004, TV ad revenues were worth $1.9 billion across the region, with report
author Adam Thomas forecasting a growth of $3 billion in six years, mostly attributed
to an expected 11.1 percent pay-TV penetration rate in Israel and Turkey, anticipated
to account for 5.5 million pay-TV homes by 2010. According to the report, the
disparity of wealth in the region is a major factor inhibiting greater growth,
with pay-TV operators catering mostly to affluent locals and the ex-patriot community.
The report cites general trends toward market liberalization, regional common
languages and oil revenues in the region as providing the broadcast sector with
increased TV penetration. (Janet Fine)
|
Pay
TV Subscribers |
|
|
2004 |
2005 |
2010 |
|
Israel |
1,452 |
1,534 |
1,914 |
|
Turkey |
2,139 |
2,322 |
3,554 |
|
Levant |
168 |
178 |
237 |
|
Gulf
States |
589 |
613 |
787 |
|
North
Africa |
148 |
153 |
206 |
|
Total
MENA |
4,496 |
4,799 |
6,698 |
Source: Informa
Telecoms & Media
|
Top
5 countries in Terms of
Multi-channel TV Penetration (2004) |
|
Country |
TV
households |
Cable & satellite
homes |
Cable & satellite
penetration |
|
Qatar |
99 |
95 |
96.0
% |
|
Israel |
1,729 |
1,640 |
94.9
% |
|
Lebanon |
850 |
780 |
91.8
% |
|
Saudi
Arabia |
3,804 |
3,465 |
91.1
% |
|
UAE |
694 |
620 |
89.8
% |
Source:
Informa Telecoms & Media
