Founded 1995 Location Nicosia, Cyprus | Founder Dr. Terence Ascott Method Satellite Television | |
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Type Christian Satellite Television Area served Middle East and North Africa, Europe | ||
SAT-7 is a Christian satellite television network broadcasting in Arabic, Persian and Turkish across 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, along with 50 countries in Europe. SAT-7 was founded as a nonprofit organization in 1995 with support from Middle Eastern churches. SAT-7 is the first, oldest and largest Christian satellite organization operating in the Middle East and North Africa. Founder Terence Ascott has served as International CEO since 1995. The not-for-profit organization is governed by an international volunteer board.
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Network
The network consists of five channels: SAT-7 ARABIC, SAT-7 KIDS (Arabic language), SAT-7 PARS (Persian language), SAT-7 TÜRK (Turkish language) and SAT-7 PLUS (Arabic). More than 80% of programming is produced in the Middle East by Middle Easterners. A wide variety of genres are employed, including dramas, music videos, films, cartoons, game shows, teaching programs, documentaries, talk shows and current events programs.
SAT-7 programming is available "free to air" to any viewer with access to a television and satellite connection within satellite coverage areas. Estimates indicate about 90% of households in the region have access to a television and an average of 55-60% have access to satellite. In countries such as Iraq, satellite access is approaching 90% of the population. An independent survey indicated 1 in 3 Iraqi children and 1 in 4 Saudi Arabian children watch SAT-7 KIDS. In 2014, the overall viewing audience of its channels is estimated at over 15 million.
SAT-7 is financially supported by interested individuals, churches, corporations and foundations from the Middle East and North Africa and around the world. The organization's mission is advanced by four support offices: SAT-7 Canada, SAT-7 Europe, SAT-7 UK, and SAT-7 USA Rex M. Rogers. SAT-7 USA is a 501(c)3 organization at SAT-7 USA English language home page.
SAT-7 international headquarters is located in Nicosia, Cyprus.
SAT-7 ARABIC
SAT-7 ARABIC launched May 31, 1996 to provide Arab language Christian programming with blocks of programming specifically for children, youth, and women.
SAT-7 KIDS
SAT-7 KIDS launched on December 10, 2007. It aims to make Christian programming available to an entire generation of Arab children.
SAT-7 PARS
SAT-7 PARS launched on December 18, 2006, although Persian broadcasts began on September 12, 2002 on SAT-7 ARABIC.
SAT-7 TÜRK
SAT-7 has been broadcasting Turkish-language programs from its sister channel, TURK-7, for several years.
In January 2010 the Turkish ministry merged with SAT-7 to become its fourth channel – SAT-7 TÜRK.