MBC 1 (Middle Eastern and North African TV channel)

MBC 1
Broadcast areaMiddle East and North Africa
Europe
United States
HeadquartersRiyadh, Saudi Arabia
Programming
Picture format1080i (HDTV)
576i (SDTV)
Ownership
OwnerMBC Group
Sister channelsMBC 2
MBC 3
MBC 4
MBC 5
MBC Drama
MBC+ Drama
MBC Action
MBC Max
MBC Persia
Al Arabiya
Wanasah
Al Hadath
MBC+ Power
MBC Variety HD
MBC Bollywood
MBC Masr
MBC Masr 2
MBC Pro Sports
MBC Iraq
History
Launched18 September 1991; 33 years ago (1991-09-18)

MBC 1 is a free-to-air pan-Arab general television channel. It is owned by the Middle Eastern company MBC Group. Satellite transmission started from London in September 1991, making MBC 1 the first independent Arabic satellite TV station, with an estimated audience of more than 130 million Arab people around the world. MBC has recently moved its headquarters to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

MBC 1 previously used to air cartoons, western movies and programs before launching MBC 2, MBC 3, and MBC 4.

By the mid-2000s, MBC 1 cemented its position as the leading Arabic variety channel.[1]

One of its most popular and controversial shows, and the one generating the highest advertising rates, is Kalam Nawaem, a show led by several women that addresses women's issues and taboos, including terrorism, domestic violence, polygamy, divorce and women's suffrage.

MBC 1 HD launched on 1 July 2011.

From 24 March to 22 June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, MBC 1 used an on-screen DOG depicting its logo encased inside a house.

Idents

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MBC 1 rebranded in 2012 to bring a new set of idents, idents are now 9 seconds long, unlike 2009's rebrand, which had 20 seconds long idents. In this rebrand, there are menus and bumpers (idents). The menus are used for next tags, which have continuity announcers, bumpers are used to "split" between breaks and programmes, and are used at the end of any programme. Focusing on a "cube-ish" theme, the channel has a simple look, but rather stylish.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Armbrust, W.; Wise, L. (2005). Culture Wars: The Arabic Music Video Controversy. Transnational broadcasting studies. Adham Center for Television Journalism, American University in Cairo. p. 108. ISBN 978-977-424-962-4. Retrieved December 24, 2022.
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