RIYADH, 19 December 2005 — Al-Arabiya is the most watched news channel in Saudi Arabia according to latest results from Ipsos-Stat TV research for November 2005.
The report revealed the Dubai-based broadcaster as the prime source of news and information with most Saudis tuning in to Al-Arabiya than any other source.
The report found Al-Arabiya enjoying nearly 24 percent audience reach during prime time, with a 1.4 percent lead over its closest competitor, the Qatari-owned Al-Jazeera.
“The results are significant because it reflects the extent to which Al-Arabiya has come since its inception three years ago. In this short period, the Dubai-based news channel has risen to the top in the region’s largest market,” said Jihad Ballout, Al-Arabiya’s director of corporate communications.
“The figures speak for themselves. They are indicative of the clear trend developing in the Arab news media scene. We are certainly elated at such achievements in a relatively short time, especially as the latest results come on the heels of yet another set of research that places Al-Arabiya in pole position in Iraq, far ahead of its main competitor in the news category,” said Ballout.
He added that these figures are a validation of the organization’s commitment to objective and professional journalism, be it newsgathering and dissemination or providing documentaries or analyses.
“It is also a response to public demand for journalism with sense rather than sensationalism,” said Ballout.
This news comes in the wake of recent research results conducted by Ipsos-Stat (May-June 2005) establishing Al-Arabiya as the most watched satellite news station in Iraq.
Moreover, a separate study confirms Al-Arabiya is in prime position as the region’s news provider. Results from Internet traffic reports by Amazon-owned Alexa show Alarabiya.Net up 19 percentage points, suggesting the news channel is a fierce competitor in cyberspace as well.
