This year might witness the launch of Arabic satellite TV news channels, both pan-Arab and national ones, in countries that have seen political changes. Some projects were already in the planning stages, but the wave of change sweeping the Arab world hastened the process.
Countries like Tunisia and Egypt are actively developing their media and many groups are planning to launch their outlets soon. The pivotal role played by the Qatari channel Al Jazeera in the popular uprisings around the region has given new impetus to traditional media, even with the rising role of online media and social networking.
Since the global financial crisis and economic recession more than three years ago, some big investors in the region mulled investment in media and sports. Conventional wisdom has it that recession is the best time to start a business, as costs will be lower and the growth is quick with recovery.
Feasibility studies factor in all relevant data concerning the business in question before concluding on its viability. So, for instance, what could be the right environment for an energy project might not be good for investment in sports. Though media investment is not much different in business sense, it differs in the factors affecting the viability of the investment — especially in news industry.
The first question in this regard is this: Does the region need another news channel? Despite the apparent saturation, the answer is yes. The Arab news market has got spare capacity. Arab viewers are more politicised and their consumption of news is growing.
The leading news channel, Al Jazeera, is delving more into populist, politically-slanted coverage of the new developments in the region. Arab uprisings are not clear-cut western wars on the region like Iraq. Yet, it remains the best choice for millions of Arabs as a source of news. Lagging behind are Al Arabiya and channels in Arabic broadcasting from major world capitals like Washington, Moscow, London and Paris.
If you got that diversity of Qatari Al Jazeera, Saudi Al Arabiya, British BBC Arabic TV, Iranian Al Alam or Hezbollah's Al Manar, what is left then? Simply, a somehow objective, fast and accurate news channel not heavily opinionated and more of a TV station than ‘Radio with pictures' as most current news outlets are.
Unfortunately, among existing outlets, those that are quick in breaking news have a political slant (which is not objective), those that try to be objective are not always accurate or up to date. And almost all feature more chatter than visual communication.
Making an impression
National media outlets in Tunisia and Egypt are expected to focus on local audiences and markets. The pan-Arab projects in the launch stages now are those of Saudi Prince Al Walid Bin Talal, who is planning to launch his news channel to add to the entertainment bouquet of Rotana.
The other main one is Sky News Arabia, a joint venture between Rupert Murdoch's BSkyB and a media company in Abu Dhabi established mainly for that purpose. Though Saudi ventures into pan-Arab news were not always very successful, Al Walid's project is recruiting the best talent in the region, trying to make a different impression. His business success is a driving force as well, though news is different from entertainment. Advertising market in the region is dwindling, with more competitors fighting for a share of a shrinking cake. Moreover, news channels are traditionally the last target of advertisers. News channels in a region like ours need some sort of state-sponsorship to sustain them.
Sky News Arabia could be the outlet that might fill the void in Arab satellite news. Sky News is the best in TV delivery (picture, graphics and live coverage), with less commentary.
The new Arabic news channel will be part of a huge global media empire (Murdoch's News Corp media has interests around the globe and the Sky name features in many languages from Turkish to Chinese). That's an advantage, but it's not enough on its own. Sky News in Arabic may not prove to be a real challenge for Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya. The other alternative is to have a controversial ‘Fox News' version in Arabic, which might even backfire giving Al Jazeera and smaller outlets like Al Manar a boost in Arab news market.
If the new channel is meant to be a niche product targeting a small Arab elite — the so-called liberals — it will be a viable project as far as it keeps itself out of competition. For a new pan-Arab media outlet to succeed in the crowded scene, it needs an innovative approach, realising the weaknesses of others and making them its strengths. Hopefully those working on launching Sky in Arabic are aware of the gaps in news provision in the region and can garner the skills to plug these gaps in a highly professional way.
Dr Ayman Mustafa is a London-based Arab writer.
