LAST year the majority of the 23 million people in the Kingdom preferred watching Saudi shows during Ramadan, including the foreigners who represent 23 percent of the population, according to a survey made by IPSOS-Stat KSA.

“Tash Ma Tash” remains on top of the list.

“Simply because it speaks about our concerns here, is suitable for all ages, and is developing year after year,” said Manal Saad, 24. “It has become like a tradition to break our fast while watching it.”

Suha Farooq, 24, said that she enjoys “Tash Ma Tash” because of the many nationalities represented.

“I’ve been watching ‘Tash Ma Tash’ with my family for 12 years now, ever since I came to Jeddah to work,” Ahmed Mansour, a 40-year-old Sudanese employee. “It’s what we look for when there is family quality time, something funny yet that sends useful messages.”

According to the 2006 IPSOS-Stat KSA survey, MBC1 was on the top of the list of most popular Saudi networks — second came Saudi TV 1; third was LBC Sat; and fourth was Dubai TV.

MBC1 continued to air “Tash Ma Tash” exclusively this year. This in addition lead to witnessing tough competition for MBC1 as people became curious about other new programs on Saudi TV1, Dubai, Sama Dubai and LBC Sat.

Feras Ahmed, 28, said that Gulf shows are the best.

“Especially Khawater 3 on MBC1, which addresses people of all ages in a modern way. While season two of the UAE cartoon series ‘Freej’ which discusses real life problems in a very respectable yet funny way.”

Abdulaziz Jameel, a father of three said he enjoys watching Egyptian shows and likes the Kuwaiti dramas.

“I became hooked to the Kuwaiti shows, too, especially because their culture and traditions are close to ours and we share some of the problems they have in society,” he said.

Out of 50 people interviewed by Arab News, 54 percent of them preferred Saudi and Gulf shows while Syrian shows followed with 22 percent. Egyptians shows were popular among 16 percent of the 50 people. English and American shows came in with 8 percent.

Though all the new shows released on September 14 (the first day of Ramadan), people predicted “Beeni wi Beenak” (“Between Me and You”) on Saudi TV, and “Amsha bint Amash” (“Amsha the Daughter of Amash”) would find massive success this year.

Though most of them enjoyed watching these programs, 2 percent said they preferred to record the shows to skip the advertisements.

“It’s a holy month and I do not want to waste it flipping through all these channels the whole day or night, but if something is worth it I’ll record it for later, even if after Ramadan,” said Maha Salih, a schoolteacher.

Another private sector employee said: “I do not like to pay much attention to TV in Ramadan, all these shows will be repeated after this month but ‘Tash Ma Tash’ remains my favorite.”