Egyptian television

Egyptian television began broadcasting its programs in 1960. Today it has more than eight national channels, and several broadcast through satellite.

History

Though the decision to start television service was taken earlier by the late President Gamal Abdel Nasser, the British-French-Israeli Suez invasion delayed work until late 1959. Egypt then signed a contract with Radio Corporation of America to provide the country with a television network and the capacity to manufacture sets. Construction of the radio and television center was completed in 1960, and the first Egyptian television broadcast started on July 21, 1960.

On August 13, 1970 a new decree established the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU) and created four distinct sectors: Radio, Television, Engineering and Finance, each of which had a chairman who reported directly to the Minister of Information.

After the 1973 war, both television production and transmission facilities were converted to color under the SECAM system. The Egyptian broadcasting changed from SECAM to PAL in 1992.

Terrestrial Channels

There are 8 state-owned broadcast or "over the air" channels in Egypt:
* Two central channels: Channels [http://www.ertu.org/tv_channel/ch1.html 1] and [http://www.ertu.org/tv_channel/ch2.html 2] .
* Six local channels, each providing specialized services for a number of governorates:
** [http://www.ertu.org/tv_channel/ch3.html Channel 3] : broadcasting from Cairo and covering Greater Cairo governorates, i.e. Al Qahirah, Al Jizah and Al Qalyubiyah.
** [http://www.ertu.org/tv_channel/ch4.html Channel 4] : broadcasting from Ismailia and covering Suez Canal governorates, i.e. Al Isma'iliyah, As Suways and Bur Sa'id.
** [http://www.ertu.org/tv_channel/ch5.html Channel 5] : broadcasting from Alexandria and covering Al Iskandariyah, Al Buhayrah, and parts of Matruh.
** [http://www.ertu.org/tv_channel/ch6.html Channel 6] : broadcasting from Tanta and covering Central Delta governorates, i.e. Al Gharbiyah, Al Minufiyah, Ad Daqahliyah, Kafr ash Shaykh and Dimyat.
** [http://www.ertu.org/tv_channel/ch7.html Channel 7] :broadcasting from Al Minya city and covering Northern Upper Egypt governorates, i.e. Al Minya, Al Fayyum, Bani Suwayf and Assuit.
** [http://www.ertu.org/tv_channel/ch8.html Channel 8] : broadcasting from Aswan and covering Southern Upper Egypt governorates, i.e. Suhaj, Qina, Al Uqsur and Aswan.

Egyptian Satellites (Nilesat)

On April 28, 1998 the first Egyptian satellite (Nilesat 101) was launched. The satellite was devoted to TV channels, information and multi-media transmission. It includes 12 digital transponders each capable for transmitting several TV and radio channels.

The Nilesat broadcast covers Egypt, Arab countries in addition to parts of neighbouring countries such as Turkey, Iran, some Mediterranean and African countries. On August 17, 2000 another satellite (Nilesat 102) was launched to provide additional channels.

Nilesat and Eutelsat has agreed in September 2005 to lease capacity on Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD 4 satellite after relocating it to 7 degrees West and renaming it to Nilesat 103, the satellite is scheduled to be repositioned to this location in second quarter 2006 after the launch and entry into service of Eutelsat’s HOT BIRD 7A and HOT BIRD 8 satellites.

Specialized Nile TV channels

Nilesat allowed for the launch of several specialized TV channels in addition to Egyptian Satellite Channel (ESC) and Nile TV. All are owned by the Egyptian state. Specialized channels include:
* [http://www.ertu.org/nile_chan/NL_drama.html Nile Drama channel] specialized in Drama, mainly movies and TV series.
* [http://www.ertu.org/nile_chan/NL_var.html Nile Variety channel] specialized in various forms of entertainment mainly concerts, music videos, contests and some talk shows.
* [http://www.ertu.org/nile_chan/NL_culture.html Nile Culture channel] .
* [http://www.ertu.org/nile_chan/NL_sports.html Nile Sports channel] .
* [http://www.ertu.org/nile_chan/tanweer.html Tanweer channel]
* [http://www.ertu.org/nile_chan/NL_family.html Nile Family channel] .
* [http://www.ertu.org/nile_chan/NL_news.asp Nile News channel] .
* [http://www.ertu.org/nile_chan/NL_edu.html Nile Educational channels] , several channels for primary, preparatory, secondary, medical and language education.

Private channels

The first private Egyptian channel "Dream TV" [http://www.dreams.tv/english/] was established on November 2, 2001. The channel is owned by the Egyptian businessman Ahmed Bahgat. In 2002, another channel [http://www.elmehwar.tv/ "el-Mehwer TV"] was established which is now owned by Dr. Hassan Rateb and the Egyptian radio and television union.

Criticism

Since its establishment, Egyptian television has always been regarded as the voice of Egyptian government and the ruling political party. Both the ERTU and the Television sector chairmen are appointed by the Minister of Information. Terrestrial channels, Egyptian satellite channel and specialized Nile channels are under direct government supervision, operation and ownership.
Private channels have a considerable freedom but with some limits. According to a study by the Cairo Institute for Human Rights (CIRS), during presidential elections both state-owned television channels and independent channels devoted more time to cover Mubarak's campaign than for the other nine candidates [http://www.ifex.org/fr/content/view/full/69029/] .Another example for government intervention in private channels was banning the Egyptian famous journalist Mohamed Hassanein Heikal from appearing in Dream TV. Dream aired a lecture Heikal gave at the American University in Cairo in which he commented on speculation surrounding the bequeathing of the presidency in Egypt. This was the last time he appeared on Egyptian TV. [http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2004/698/fr3.htm]

According to Reporters without borders 2005 report ; Egyptian media ranks 143rd out of 167 countries in freedom of the press [http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=15331] .

References

* [http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Arts&Culture/RTV/071700000000000001.htm Egyptian Radio and Television] from Egypt state information service.
* [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/E/htmlE/egypt/egypt.htm Egypt from the museum of broadcast communication] .

External links

* [http://www.ertu.org/ Egyptian radio and Television union official site] .
* [http://www.egynews.net/ News Sector web site] .
* [http://www.nilesat.com.eg/ Nilesat official site] .
* [http://www.dreams.tv/english/ Dream TV] .