Orbit Satellite Television and Radio Network

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Orbit Satellite Television and Radio Network
Type	Privately owned by Mawarid Holding [via Digital Media Systems]
Founded	1994
Headquarters	Manama,  Bahrain
Industry	Media & Telecommunications
Products	Direct broadcast satellite and Satellite Internet
Website	Official Site

Orbit Communications Company is a privately owned company by Saudi based Mawarid Holding [via Digital Media Systems] ^{[1] [2]}, and is the first fully digital, multi-channel, multi-lingual, pay television service in the Middle East. Orbit provides a vast selection of entertainment and information in Arabic, English, and Filipino language.

Orbit is one of the leading Pay TV networks in the Middle East and North Africa, and Europe offering:

• Blockbuster movies from the leading Hollywood studios including Paramount, Dreamworks, Sony, Columbia, NBC Universal, MGM, Disney and Buena Vista International, plus other local producers.
• Sports including the world’s most popular football league the Premier League, the Rugby World Cup and other major sporting events.
• Selected international series and shows.
• Exclusive Channels: Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, Jetix Play, BBC Prime, MGM Channel, Soundtrack Channel, NBA TV, Trace TV, Discovery Channel, Discovery Travel & Living, The History Channel, GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, PBO - Pinoy Box Office, NBN Pinoy News. And 20 exclusive radio stations.
• 2-level parental control (Channel & Rating).
• 7-day bilingual electronic program guide.
• 20 radio channels of music & news.
• Arabic subtitles & multi-lingual audio on selected channels.

[edit] The Network

The Orbit Satellite Television and Radio Network is the world’s first fully digital, multi-channel, multi-lingual, pay television service, providing high-quality sound and picture.

[edit] The Objective

Orbit provides a combination of both premium Arabic and Western programming that reflects the interests, tastes, political and religious sensitivities of the region’s distinctive cultures.

[edit] The Technology

Orbit has launched new interactive services with their new multi-function decoder, the Xtra Digital XD 300.

[edit] Orbit Channel Lineup*

The following channels line-up with channel numbers as of May 20, 2008 ^{[3] [4]}

* 63 Channels** + 2 Promotional Channel

** 10 General Entertainment Channels – 6 Movie Channels – 6 Sports Channels – 5 Factual Channels – 7 Kids Channels – 4 Pay-Per-View Channels – 4 Music Channels – 10 News Channels - 4 Filipino Channels

[edit] Orbit ESPN's Disappearance

On April 1, 2008^[5], after being on the air since 1994^[6], 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.

[edit] 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. ^[7].

[edit] Orbit Packages

(THE FOLLOWING PACKAGES ARE ORBIT'S MAIN PACKAGES) (PACKAGES MAY DEFER FROM COUNTRY TO ANOTHER)

• SUPER MEGA: Super Mega includes all Arabic and Western Orbit TV Channels. Plus, 20 Radio Chanels and 5 TV MAX Channels.
• SUPER PRIME: Super Prime includes only Orbits' Western Channels, plus NBA TV, Al Riyadiyah, JSC +1 & JSC +2 and Music Now. Plus, 20 Radio Channels and 5 TV MAX Channels.
• ALFA: Includes all Orbits' Arabic Channels, plus CNN International and Music Now. Plus, 20 Radio Channels and 5 TV MAX Channels.
• FAMILY: The best in Family entertainment: Al Safwah, Al Yawm, Fann, Music Now, Arabic Series Channel, Fun Channel(Jetix Play), Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Space Toon Arabic, The History Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, CNN International, Bloomberg TV, Euronews, Al Riyadiah, NBA TV, Hollywood Star!, America Plus, BBC Prime, Super Comedy, Discovery Travel & Living, 5 TV MAX channels. Plus, 20 Radio Channels.
• PINOY PLUS: The best in Filipino programming: GMA Pinoy TV, NBN Pinoy News, PBO - Pinoy Box Office, GMA - DZBB. Plus, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, MGM Movies, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, Hollywood Star!, Fashion TV, Music Now, Trace TV, CNN International, NBA TV, 20 Radio Channels and 5 TV MAX Channels.
• KIDS: The package includes the best in kids entertainment, documentary channels and sports channels: Fun Channel(Jetix Play), Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Space Toon Arabic, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, The History Channel, NBA TV, JSC +1, JSC +2. Plus, 20 Radio Channels and 5 TV MAX Channels. (Kids package is only available as a second subscription only.

[edit] See also

• Showtime Arabia
• Arab Radio and Television Network
• Arab Digital Distribution
• STAR Select
• List of direct broadcast satellite providers
• List of digital television deployments by country

[edit] External links

• Orbit Satellite Television and Radio Network Corporate Website
• TVMAX - Orbit's Pay Per View service
• Orbit Online Services
• Orbitsatnet - Orbit's Broadband services
• Orbit Voice - IP Phone & Calling Cards

[edit] References