Reality TV comes of age in the Arab World.

February 01, 2006

Since the obvious success of Superstar, the first Arabic reality show to broadcast on Arabic FTA satellite television, reality TV show adoption by TV stations has been growing. A total of 12 Arabic language reality TV shows were broadcast in 2005. The 2006 pipeline for reality TV shows produced and aired in the Arab World is set for more growth.

Spurred by massive competition, the Arab TV industry has become a major player in offering quality content. The Arab World increasingly continues to participate in the reality shows worldwide phenomenon. Reality TV’s attraction lies in its relative novelty to audiences as well as its lower costs of production as participants are mainly regular people and not highly paid movie and TV stars.

Accompanied by the TV stations increase in the adoption of reality TV is the diversification of the stations’ revenue streams. Reality shows are yet another revenue source for FTA satellite channels especially where viewer participation is involved. Revenue sources from reality shows include sponsorships, advertising and interactivity revenues from viewer participation.

A new report called “Arabic Reality Shows in the Arab World” was released to the Arab Advisors Group’s Media Strategic Research Service subscribers on January 24, 2005. This report can be purchased from the Arab Advisors Group for only US$ 950. The 35- page report, which has 6 comprehensive exhibits, provides detailed profiles on the latest Arabic language reality shows aired on FTA satellite television stations. The content of the Arabic reality shows as well as the content of the original format (where applicable) is discussed. In addition, this report points out the Arabic producing companies that have played a role in the Arabic reality TV market.

Any investment in this report will count towards an annual Strategic Research Service subscription should the service be acquired within three months from purchasing the report.

The investment can also count towards attending Arab Advisors’ third annual Media and Telecoms Convergence Conference on June 6 & 7 2006. More information on the conference can be seen at http://www.arabadvisors.com/Convergence/schedule.htm Alternatively contact the Arab Advisors Group for full information on the conference, agenda and sponsorship opportunities.

Please contact the Arab Advisors Group to get a copy of the report’s Table of Contents.

“The adoption of reality show formats is still a relatively new trend that is being adopted gradually by Arabic satellite channels.” Ms Lina Juma, Arab Advisors Research Analyst wrote in the report. “The success of the present reality shows in the region will certainly propel the adoption of the formats by many more channels. Also, locally produced, rather than licensed reality formats, are expected to be more apparent.” Ms Juma added.

The Arab Advisors Group’s team of analysts in the region has already produced close to 510 reports on the Arab World’s communications and media markets. The reports can be purchased individually or received through an annual subscription to Arab Advisors Group’s (www.arabadvisors.com) Strategic Research Services (Media and Telecom). To date, Arab Advisors Group has served close to 350 global and regional companies by providing reliable research analysis and forecasts of Arab communications markets to these clients.