Satellite television dishes in the Middle East region. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

[Via Satellite 03-18-2014] Eutelsat Communications has released results of its new survey on TV reception modes and trends across the Middle East and North Africa. The survey found that satellite is the preferred digital infrastructure across the Middle East and North Africa, and that 29 percent of homes in the area are equipped with HDTV, with 50 percent of those not equipped planning to buy an HD display in the next 12 months.

The study found that 92 percent of those surveyed favor satellite reception for pay-TV or free-to-air viewing, a 25 percent increase from three years ago. Over the same time period, the number of homes receiving analogue terrestrial TV decreased from 18.2 million to 4.1 million. The survey also noted that the Eutelsat-Nilesat 7/8 degrees west neighborhood has increased its audience to 51.5 million homes.

“Our new survey confirms the exceptional dynamics of the video market in the Middle East and North Africa and the key role played by satellites that now reach into more than nine out of 10 homes in the region,” said Michel de Rosen, Eutelsat chairman and CEO. “This result reflects longstanding partnerships between Eutelsat, Gulfsat, Nilesat, Noorsat, Viewsat and anchor media groups, including Al Jazeera, MBC and OSN that are experiencing strong commercial success and are well placed for further expansion in the region.”