Al-Manar TV soars into ratings 'Top 10'

Survey shows significant increase in Arab youth viewing of news channels.

By AMIR MIZROCH
nasrallah al-manar 248 88 (photo credit: AP [file])
nasrallah al-manar 248 88
(photo credit: AP [file])
The Arab world tuned into the events in Lebanon in July, and Hizbullah's Al-Manar TV station was one of the main beneficiaries, according to ratings released by Ipsos-Stat. As detailed in the Mena Report, a publication of the Al Bawaba Media and Technology group, the biggest surprise in the ratings, measured between July 15 and 28, during the war in Lebanon, was the emergence of Al-Manar as the No. 10 station Arab satellite station, after coming in at only No. 83 in the previous survey. The survey covered all classes and age groups in Saudi Arabia, the largest market in the region and a market that is representative of the entire Arab world both in terms on population and because of its diversity of Arab cultures, the report said. The survey also showed a significant increase in the number of youths watching news channels. With its studios and antennas bombed several times and broadcasting from secret bunkers, the station not only managed to remain on air but blitzed the ratings. However, the clear choice of Arabs for breaking news on the Lebanon conflict was Al-Arabiya, with 40 percent of Arab viewers tuning in. Al-Arabiya achieved its highest ever ratings - 230 points compared to 171 points for Al-Jazeera. Some 17% of the target population tuned in to Al-Arabiya on a monthly basis, compared to 12% for Al-Jazeera. News viewership surged during the survey period, at the expense of music channels. Entertainment channels remained relatively stable.