97% of Iraqis have satellite TV

Nicosia, Cyprus, March 20, 2009: Data just released from a nation-wide study in Iraq found that 97% of the population has access to satellite television and that 18.8%, or 5.3 million people in that country alone (out of an estimated 2008 population of 28 million), watch SAT-7. The study also found that 2.6 million are watching on a regular daily or weekly basis!

Intermedia, the independent audience research firm which conducted the study, also provides data on such channels as Al Jazeera and BBC Arabic. In fact, according to the study SAT-7 is only 1.7 percentage points behind BBC Arabic in the number of people aware of the channel!

SAT-7 CEO Terence Ascott says the figures show that SAT-7 is offering tremendous return on donations given to the ministry. “It’s quite amazing when you consider that BBC ARABIC has an annual budget of 25 million British Pounds. A year ago when the BBC channel launched, that amount was worth about 50 million dollars. SAT-7’s total budget, split among three channels in 2008, was only 13 million dollars. Talk about value for your money!”

In addition to reaching a high number of viewers for a low cost, SAT-7 is also providing vital support to the struggling Christian community in Iraq. “Iraqi Christians have really suffered in recent years and many have fled the country,” says David Harder, SAT-7’s Communications Manager. “Iraqis often call and text us asking for prayer. Fortunately, through our programs SAT-7’s Arabic producers and hosts can show God’s love and offer encouragement. We’ve had responses from Iraq for years, but now we know that literally millions of Iraqis, Christian and non-Christian, are watching the broadcasts.”

To watch a live feed from the SAT-7 ARABIC channel, click on this link: http://www.sat7.org/tv2/TV2_arabic.html

                                                                                      ###

Launched in 1996, SAT-7 is a Christian television service created by and for the People of the Middle East and North Africa with U.S. headquarters in Easton, Md. SAT-7 makes Christ's message of hope available to every home in the Middle East. Each week between 9 and 10 million people tune into the channels (Intermedia research, 2004 – 2006). Broadcast in three languages—Arabic, Farsi and Turkish—SAT-7 can be viewed via satellite in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, much of Central Asia and worldwide at www.SAT7.org. For more information about SAT-7 go to www.sat7usa.org (English), www.sat7.com (Arabic) and www.sat7PARS.com (Farsi).


CONTACT: 
SAT-7 USA 
(410) 770-9804 or (866) 744-7287
usa@sat7.org

Date: 7/16/2009 4:06:14 PM