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Record audiences for BBC's Arabic Services

BBC Press Office

12 May 2011

Overall audiences to the BBC’s Arabic services have risen by more than 50% to a record high of 33.4 million adults weekly - up from 21.6 million before the ‘Arab Spring’.
BBC Arabic TV’s audience has risen to 24.4million from 13.5million – up by more than 80 per cent. Weekly reach across Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabic, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco has nearly doubled to a weekly reach of 18.4% from 9.8%.*
The weekly audience estimates are based on an independent study that was carried out by the Broadcasting Board of Governors’ International Audience Research Program (IARP). Surveys were conducted in Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabic, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco.
Biggest increases were seen in Egypt, where the BBC Arabic TV audience quadrupled to a weekly reach of 16.2%, reaching 9.3 million people.
Liliane Landor, Controller, Languages, BBC Global News, said: “In turbulent times, the BBC’s aim to provide trusted news and impartial information is more valued than ever across the Middle East and North Africa.”
“These impressive figures show that international audiences are increasingly turning to the BBC for independent news that they can trust.
“In an increasingly competitive TV market, it demonstrates there will always be space for high-quality journalism that seeks to inform all, even-handedly.
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Notes to Editors
This data resulted from studies that were carried out under the Broadcasting Board of Governors’ International Audience Research Program (IARP). All rights reserved.
The six audience measurement surveys took place between February and July 2011. The surveys were conducted using random sampling methods, administered by trained local interviewers, in local language. Participants were interviewed face-to-face at home by ACNeilsen. All surveys are representative of a defined adult population in each market. Audience numbers have been calculated based on the most recent population estimates for each market.
The surveys were purchased by the BBC after completion of the fieldwork.
About BBC Arabic
BBC Arabic is the BBC’s integrated news and information service for the Arab World. It is available on air and on demand 24-hours a day, seven days a week. BBC Arabic is both the largest and the oldest of the BBC’s non-English language services. Launched in 1938, the Service is one of the Arab world’s leading international broadcasters.
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