Orbit Communications Company was a privately owned
Pay TV network, operating in
Bahrain. Owned by
Saudi Arabia–based
Mawarid Holding (via Digital Media Systems),[1][2] it was the first fully
digital, multi-channel, multi-lingual,
pay television service in the
Middle East and
North Africa and was also the world's first fully end to end digital TV network.[3] Launched in 1994, it was originally situated in Tor Sapienza, Rome, Italy as the location was considered entirely suitable to build a satellite farm.[citation needed][4] Orbit employed around 600 employees[when?] who were largely a combination of British and Italian staff with several Arabic speaking nations also represented.[citation needed] Orbit broadcast in several languages around the world including
English,
Arabic,
French and
Filipino.
Some of Orbit's Arabic channels including Bahrain TV, Al Safwa, Fann, Al Yawm, Cinema 1, Cinema 2, Mousalsalat and Mousalsalat +2 are available throughout North and South America through
myTV (Arabic).[5]
In 2009, the company merged with
Showtime Arabia to form
OSN, which is currently the biggest pay-TV provider in the MENA region.
Technology
Orbit had launched four multi-function interactive decoders:
One of the reasons that break the contract with ESPN is the severe financial problems happened at that time, since 1999-2000 the production graph line has been moved down. In 2009, a major delay in paying salaries for orbit employees in Egypt, Lebanon and KSA for more than 4 months.
BBC Arabic television
BBC Arabic Television was originally transmitted via Orbit from 1994 until April 21, 1996, when it was taken off air by Orbit after the channel broadcast an episode of the BBC Panorama program critical of the Saudi Arabian government. Many of the BBC Arabic Television staff then went to work for
Al Jazeera.[8] The BBC has since relaunched the channel autonomously in 2008.
(The Following Packages are Orbit's Main Packages)(Packages May differ from Country to Another)
Super Mega: Super Mega includes all Arabic and Western Orbit TV channels. Plus, 22 Radio channels and 4 TV MAX channels.
Super Prime: Super Prime includes only Orbits' Western channels, plus NBA TV, Al Riyadiyah, Music Now, MTV Arabia. Plus, 22 Radio channels and 4 TV MAX channels.
Alfa: Includes all Orbits' Arabic channels, plus CNN International and Music Now. Plus, 22 Radio channels and 4 TV MAX channels.
Family: The best in Family entertainment: Al Safwa, Al Yawm, Fann, Music Now, Arabic Series Channel, MTV Arabia, Fun Channel, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Spacetoon, Nickelodeon, The History Channel, Animal Planet, Discovery Science, CNN International, Bloomberg Television, Euronews, CNN International, Al Riyadiyah, NBA TV, Hollywood Channel (Zone Club), BBC Prime, Super Comedy, Discovery Travel & Living, 4 TV MAX channels. Plus, 22 Radio channels.
Pinoy Plus: The best in Filipino programming: GMA Pinoy TV, NBN Pinoy News, GMA Life TV. Plus, Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, MGM Movies, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, Hollywood Channel (Zone Club), Fashion TV, Music Now, Trace TV, MTV Arabia, CNN International, NBA TV, 22 Radio channels and 4 TV MAX channels.
Kids: The package includes the best in kids entertainment, documentary channels and sports channels: Fun Channel, Playhouse Disney, Toon Disney, Disney Channel, Spacetoon, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, Boomerang, Discovery Science, Animal Planet, The History Channel, NBA TV. Plus, 22 Radio channels and 4 TV MAX channels. (Kids package is only available as a second subscription only).
Showtime Arabia merger
On 12 July 2009, Showtime Arabia and Orbit Communications Company announced a merger that created the “biggest Pay-TV platform” in the
Middle East and
North Africa.[9]
The newly formed company, which is called OSN,[9] is an equal partnership that would offer 70 exclusive channels featuring new
movies,
sports,
series,
Arabic content and international shows.
New customers can subscribe to packages featuring
Showtime Arabia's and Orbit Communications Company's programs, while existing subscribers will be able to either retain or upgrade their content. The company will offer
HD channels,
video on demand and other
interactive services.