The “Ipsos Stat” survey, conducted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia between June 28h and August 1st 2006, has confirmed the position of Al Arabiya as the leading news channel of the region according to surveyed viewers – both citizens and residents, who belong to various socio-economic categories.
Al Arabiya recorded a top share in audience viewership as the leading news channel, with 17% of respondents watching Al Arabiya on a monthly basis, while its closest competitor recorded only 12%. This puts Al Arabiya clearly ahead of its nearest competitor, Al Jazeera by more than 42%.
According to the results, Al Arabiya recorded 230 points in average viewership with 38 points in reach of all Adults, while Al Jazeera gained respectively 171 and 29 points. The most important aspect of the results reveals that Al Arabiya’s main evening news bulletin, which airs at 9:00 pm KSA Time, recorded 13.71 rating points of viewership, 93% more than Al Jazeera’s 7.10 points on the same days and times. This result shows that the viewership rates of Al Arabiya’s main evening news bulletin are almost double that of Al Jazeera.
“The ‘Ipsos Stat’ survey reaffirms Al Arabiya’s position as the leading news channel in the region,” said Abdul Rahman Al Rashid, General Manager of Al Arabiya News Channel. “The survey also proves our media strategy correct, a strategy which bases itself on credibility, objectivity, balanced reporting and a commitment to cover world events with full and complete honesty. All of these different aspects bring Al Arabiya even closer to the truth.”
He added, “The importance of this survey is reflected in its being conducted inside the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is considered by far to be the largest consumer market in the region, and the nation most flourishing and able to represent the different components of the Arab world in terms of socio-economic indicators. The survey has shown how both the citizens and residents of KSA rely on Al Arabiya as their first and primary source of credible political, business and financial news; breaking news; and talk shows.”
Finally, the results of the survey prove that the choice of Al Arabiya by leading regional and global advertisers is the judicious one due to the fact that Al Arabiya is the most effective news media vehicle in reaching many different viewers, decision makers, and top management of the region.
About “Ipsos Stat” Survey
The survey was conducted between June 28th and August 1st throughout the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). The sample size was 5,234 of citizens and residents of KSA, with 32 percent female adults and 68 percent male adults. The survey was conducted by phone, calling individuals randomly in a representative sample.
About Al Arabiya News Channel
Al Arabiya News Channel was launched on March 3, 2003 to fulfill the Arab audience’s need for credible, trustworthy, timely, and relevant news. Based in Dubai Media City, Al Arabiya has brought forth new standards in the delivery of news to the region and has become a primary source of information for viewers in the Arab world with its credible political, business, and financial news; breaking news; reporting and a varied grid of regular and special programming. Today, Al Arabiya’s reach extends to all of the Middle East; Asia Pacific; South East Asia; North Africa; Europe; the Americas and Australia where viewers can tune into speedy and detailed news bulletins every hour around the clock along with analytical programs delivered by a large network of anchors and reporters.
