Advertising rates have reached US$5,448 for peak viewing time in the Arab world's free-to-air (FTA) satellite TV sector, with news and current affairs commanding the highest value for commercial spots.
Jordan's Arab Advisors Group analysed 34 FTA satellite channels in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), and discovered there it cost, on average, $3,157 for a 30-second TV advertisement during the peak viewing time between 9pm and 10pm in Saudi Arabia's time zone.
"Of the 34 analysed FTA satellite TV channels, MBC Group's Arabic language general channel - MBC1 - has the highest average advertising rate. Whereas, the three music channels – Mazzika, Melody Hits and Zoom, which have identical ad rates – have the lowest average advertising rates," said Hiba Rabadi, senior research analyst, Arab Advisors Group.
"FTA satellite TV peak average ad rate decreased from US$ 3,299 in 2012 to US$ 3,157 in 2013, a decrease of 4.3%," she added.
The representative sample of TV channels selected for the study – Satellite TV Advertising Rates in the Arab World 2013 – included children's and youth offerings, general entertainment, movies and drama, music, news and current affairs, religious and sports channels.
