Orbit Communications Company

Orbit Communications Company was a privately owned Pay TV network, operating in the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. 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.[4] Orbit employed around 600 employees who were largely a combination of British and Italian staff with several Arabic speaking nations also represented.[4] Orbit broadcast in several languages around the world including English, Arabic, French and Filipino.

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

Orbit Communications Company
TypeSatellite television
IndustryTelecommunication
FateMerged with Showtime Arabia into Orbit Showtime
Founded1994
Defunct2009
HeadquartersManama, Bahrain
ProductsDirect broadcast satellite and Satellite Internet
OwnerPrivately owned by Mawarid Holding [via Digital Media Systems]
WebsiteOfficial Site

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 4 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

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. 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. http://www.preddonlee.com/al_jazeera_origins.html
  9. Chiba Yushi (February 2012). "A Comparative Study on the Pan-Arab Media Strategies: The Cases of Egypt and Saudi Arabia" (PDF). 5 (1&2). Retrieved 13 February 2014. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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