Lebanon's mix of state controlled and independently owned television stations reflect the diversity of Lebanese citizens. More than 95% are ethnically Arab and 4% are Armenian. 60% are Muslim (Shi'a, Sunni, Druze, Isma'ilite, Alawite or Nusayri), 40% are Christian (including Orthodox Christian, Catholic, Marronite, Protestant) and less than 1% are Jewish.

FUTURE TV

Future TV, founded in 1993, is privately owned and is run in collaboration with MBC, a Saudi Arabian TV network now based in Dubai. With a rich variety of local and foreign programs, Future Television's international broadcasts are seen throughout the Middle East, Northern Africa, Europe, the U.S. and Australia. Future TV presents local and international news broadcasts in Arabic, English, French, and Armenian. The network also offers American movies, Spanish soap operas, Lebanese comedy shows and Arab children shows.

In 1996, in compliance with the new Lebanese audio visual law, Future Television restructured its ownership. Future Television now has around 90 new shareholders, all from the Lebanese business, social and media elite.

CONTACT:

Future Television
White House, Spears Street
Sanayeh, P.O.Box 13-6052
Beirut, Lebanon
Telephone: +961 1 355355
Fax: +961 1 753232
future@future.com.lb

LBC TV

The Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation was launched on August 23, 1985. LBC is the first private TV station in Lebanon and is a pioneer in the region. In the recent years, LBC extended its coverage throughout the world and established all the following channels: LBCI, LBC Sat, LBC Maghreb, and Nagham, one of the first specialized music channels launched in the region. The LBC Group’s main online portal was revamped in 2005-2006 to become an active content provider & an efficient advertising & media vehicle.

LBCI is a general entertainment channel, targeting the 'Lebanese Family', considered by the network to be the backbone of Lebanese society. The LBC I mission is to provide a total experience by informing, entertaining, educating, & engaging all the family members.

CONTACT: 

Adma - Zone Jaune
Rue 4 Bis, Lebanon
P.O. Box: Beirut 165853 - Zouk 111
Tel: +961 9 850850
Fax: +961 9 850916
info@lbcgroup.tv

NBN

The National Broadcasting Network (NBN) covers all local, regional and international news on the hour. NBN is privately owned by Nabih Berri, speaker of the Lebanese parliament and head of Amal, the moderate Shi'ite organization and Hezbollah's rival in the Shi'ite community. The network has become a reliable source of information for the Lebanese community living in Lebanon and abroad, and it offers viewers a targeted programming lineup that caters to their interests. NBN's primetime lineup includes a variety of programs based on political, cultural, social, economic and environmental subject matter. Programs include news updates and in depth features, business news, fashion, astrology and sports.

In September 2000, NBN went on satellite via Arab Sat 3A to cover the Arab world, Africa and Europe. Since 2004, NBN has become available in the U.S. through Reach Media Inc.

CONTACT:

Adnan El Hakim Street

Hala Building,Block A

Jnah, Beirut, Lebanon

Tel: +961 1 841 020/7

Fax: +961 1 841 029

flash@nbn.com.lb

NEW TV

NewTV Sat, usually short-handed NewTV, is a Lebanese broadcasting network which covers the pan arab region and was launched on October 4, 2001.

New TV caters to a wide range of viewers and offers a variety of educational, political, sports, cultural and entertaining programs, in addition to its daily news reports.

CONTACT:

Watta Al-Moussaitbeh
Jabal Al Arab Street
P.O. Box 11-5858
Beirut, Lebanon
Tel:  +961 1 303300
Fax: +961 1 303300   Ext. 158
info@newtvsat.com 

AL-MANAR TV

Al-Manar TV is a Lebanese TV station, it beamed its first terrestrial signal in the 1991 and it began broadcasting via satellite in the year 2000.

The network is controlled by the Shiite fundamentalist movement Hezbollah, Party of God, which holds a number of elected positions in the Lebanese government. Hezbollah has been designated as a terrorist organization by U.S. Secretary of State. Al-Manar states that it "aims to preserve the Islamic values and to enhance the civilized role of the Arab and Islamic community." Al-Manar presents a combination of religious programming, international and local news, sports, politics, society, culture and children's shows.

Al-Manar is no longer available in the U.S. via the satellite carrier GlobeCast. On December 17, 2004, Secretary of State Powell concluded that Al Manar is a "terrorist organization" within the meaning of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, placing the channel on the Terrorist Exclusion List. Aliens providing support to or associated with Terrorist Exclusion List designated organizations may be found “inadmissible” to the U.S., i.e., such aliens may be prevented from entering the U.S. or, if already in U.S. territory, may in certain circumstances be deported.

CONTACT:

P.O. Box 354/25
Beirut, Lebanon    
Tel: +961 3 217405
Fax: +961 1 555953
info@manartv.com.lb

QUICK FACTS: