Arabsat and Nilesat
Arabsat and Nilesat are primarily used for transmitting to the area known as MENA region (Middle East and North Africa).
Arabsat is also known as the BAdr satellites.
Whiles most of the programmes on Arabsat and Nilesat are in Arabic, some channels transmit programmes in English.
Arabsat Satellite / Badr Satellites
The Arabsat constellation of satellites is located at 26 degrees east of south. Arabsat is primarily used for transmitting to the Middle East. However Arabsat signals can be picked up in Spain, even on an 80cm satellite dish.
Nilesat Satellite
The Nilesat constellation of satellites is located at 7 degrees west of south. Nilesat is primarily used for transmitting to the Middle East. However Nilesat signals can be picked up in Spain, even on an 80cm satellite dish.
Arabsat and Nilesat generally cover the same channels, but in some cases some packages and channels are only on Nilesat and others are only on Arabsat.
MBC Channels (Middle East Broadcasting Company)
MBC channels transmit a mixture of Arabic and English language programming. Their popular channels, are MBC1, MBC2, MBC3, MBC4, MBC Action and MBC Max.
Their standard definition channels are all available free to air, but their HD versions are subscription.
More information and frequencies for MBC 2 here.
More information and frequencies for MBC 4 here.
More information and frequencies for MBC Action here.
More information and frequencies for MBC Max here.
OSN Showtime on Nilesat
Orbit Showtime Network or OSN is a pay satellite provider serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). OSN was formed in 2009 as a result of merger of two of the Mideast’s largest TV networks, Orbit and Showtime Arabia.
OSN offers popular entertainment content such as movies, sporting events and various TV shows. As of 2015 OSN offers 154 television channels and 53 high-definition channels and 3D entertainment.
ADMC Sports on Nilesat
Abu Dhabi Media Company Sports or ADMC Sports is a pay satellite provider serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
ADMC Sports offers major sporting events and various TV shows. As of 2015 OSN offers 10 television channels and 8 high-definition channels.
ADMC Sports had the broadcast rights to show all 380 English Premier League football matches live on ADMC Sports for the 2010-1012 seasons.
BeIN Sports on Nilesat
BeIn Sports is a pay satellite provider serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Prior to 31 December 2013, BeIN Sports (Mena) was konwn as Al Jazeera Sport.
BeIn Sports operate 10 Sports channels on Nilesat, where as on Es’Hail (25.5e), they operate over 20 channels.
From the 2013/2014 season, English Premier League football matches will be shown live on BeIN Sports, who won the rights to show all 380 games LIVE.
Free English Language Channels on Arabsat and Nilesat
There are a few free English audio television channels of interest on Arabsat and Nilesat, that you can view on any generic digital satellite receiver.
Popular English langusge free TV channels on Arabsat and Nilesat are from the MBC and FOX group. These have many English TV programmes on them, many from the USA and UK. However the only drawback being that they do have Arabic subtitles!
MBC is a group of free to air channels provide many films and tv programmes in English. There are four channels that show action drama and movies during the day. The channels include MBC 2, MBC 4, MBC Action, MBC Max.
Fox Movies is a dedicated free to air movie channel, showing the 20th Century Fox movie back catalogue. More information and frequencies for Fox Movies here.
Fox Series is a dedicated free to air movie channel, showing the 20th Century Fox TV series back catalogue. More information and frequencies doe Fox Series here.
Dubai One is a channel that shows many US dramas and action series. More information and frequencies for Dubai One here.