21
Al Ekhbariya Frequency on Badr 26E – Complete Settings
Al Ekhbariya broadcasts on Badr 26°E at 11230 MHz (H, 27500, 3/4) and 12149 MHz (H, 27500, 5/6). Complete tuning guide with coverage, competitors, and technical requirements.
Al Ekhbariya (الإخبارية) is Saudi Arabia’s premier news and current affairs satellite television channel, broadcasting to the Arabic-speaking world and beyond. Launched in 2004 by the Saudi Ministry of Media, it delivers comprehensive news coverage from correspondents stationed across the Middle East, Europe, and North America. This guide covers tuning parameters, audience demographics, geographic coverage, and technical specifications for receiving Al Ekhbariya on Badr satellites in 2025.
How to Tune Al Ekhbariya
To receive Al Ekhbariya, you’ll need a satellite dish pointed toward Badr 26°E with a KU-band LNB. The channel broadcasts on two transponders with identical modulation but different symbol rates, offering viewers alternative tuning options for optimal signal reception depending on their equipment capabilities.
- Step 1 – Point your satellite dish to Badr 26°E (also known as Arabsat BADR-4/5/6/7)
- Step 2 – Enter frequency 11230 MHz (primary) or 12149 MHz (secondary)
- Step 3 – Set polarization to Horizontal (H) and symbol rate to 27500 Ks/s
- Step 4 – Configure FEC to 3/4 (primary) or 5/6 (secondary), then scan and save the channel
Who Watches Al Ekhbariya
Al Ekhbariya attracts a diverse viewership spanning the Arab world, with particular strength in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and North Africa. The channel maintains a professional news focus that appeals to educated audiences seeking detailed current affairs coverage and international news analysis.
- Primary Audience – News enthusiasts and professionals aged 25-65 seeking comprehensive international coverage and Gulf-region analysis
- Secondary Audience – Arabic-speaking communities across Europe, North America, and diaspora populations
- Institutional Viewers – Government offices, hotels, hospitals, and educational institutions throughout the MENA region
- Peak Hours – Morning bulletins (06:00-08:00 UTC), afternoon updates (12:00-13:00 UTC), and prime evening news (20:00-21:00 UTC)
Al Ekhbariya Coverage Map
Al Ekhbariya maintains excellent signal strength across the entire Middle East and extends to North Africa and parts of Europe. The geographic coverage depends on the specific Badr satellite used, with Badr-4, 5, 6, and 7 all carrying the channel to ensure comprehensive regional distribution and redundancy.
| Region | Satellite | Signal Quality | Recommended Dish Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulf States (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait) | Badr 26°E | Excellent | 60-75cm |
| Levant Region (Syria, Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan) | Badr 26°E | Excellent | 75-90cm |
| North Africa (Egypt, Libya, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia) | Badr 26°E | Good to Excellent | 90-120cm |
| Europe (Southern Mediterranean) | Badr 26°E | Good | 120-150cm |
Al Ekhbariya Alternative Satellites
While Badr 26°E represents the primary distribution method, Al Ekhbariya also maintains presence on secondary satellite platforms to maximize geographic reach and provide backup continuity. These alternative satellites ensure broader regional coverage and serve as redundant distribution pathways.
- Nilesat 201 (7.0°W) – Carries Al Ekhbariya at 12149 MHz with HD quality (MPEG-4/HD) for viewers in Africa and western parts of the Middle East
- Eutelsat 7 West A (7.0°W) – Alternative western distribution point for European and African audience reception
- Arabsat Badr-4 (26.0°E) – Legacy satellite position providing historical broadcast continuity
- Arabsat Badr-7 (26.0°E) – Modern satellite providing enhanced digital signal quality and redundancy
Similar Channels to Al Ekhbariya
The regional news landscape includes several alternatives offering similar editorial approaches or content types. Viewers seeking comparable coverage options have multiple established channels with overlapping geographic distribution on the same satellite platforms.
- Sky News Arabia – Independent news channel offering English-Arabic bilingual content and different editorial perspective on Middle Eastern events
- Al Arabiya – Major Saudi-backed news network with entertainment-focused sister channels and extensive regional reporting network
- BBC Arabic – International news perspective with dedicated Arabic service providing global coverage emphasis
- France 24 Arabic – European viewpoint on international affairs with particular focus on Middle East-Europe relations
Al Ekhbariya vs Competitors
Al Ekhbariya competes in a crowded but defined market segment. The competitive landscape reveals distinct positioning across video quality, encryption status, content specialization, and satellite coverage footprints, with each competitor targeting specific demographic segments.
| Feature | Al Ekhbariya | Sky News Arabia | Al Arabiya |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Quality | HD (MPEG-4/MPEG-2) | HD/FHD | HD/FHD |
| Encryption Status | FTA (Free-To-Air) | FTA | FTA |
| Content Focus | News and Current Affairs | News with Opinion Shows | News and Entertainment |
| Primary Satellite Coverage | Badr 26°E, Nilesat 7°W | Badr 26°E, Nilesat 7°W | Badr 26°E, Hotbird 13°E |
| Editorial Approach | Government-affiliated | Independent | Saudi commercial entity |
| Language Options | Arabic primary | Arabic and English | Arabic with selective English |
Al Ekhbariya Frequency Parameters
Technical accuracy in frequency parameters ensures reliable reception across diverse receiver equipment. Al Ekhbariya provides dual frequency options allowing compatibility with different receiver generations and regional equipment variations, demonstrating broadcast engineering best practices.
| Parameter | Primary Transponder | Secondary Transponder |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 11230 MHz | 12149 MHz |
| Polarization | Horizontal (H) | Horizontal (H) |
| Symbol Rate | 27500 Ks/s | 27500 Ks/s |
| FEC (Error Correction) | 3/4 | 5/6 |
| Modulation | DVBS/QPSK | DVBS/QPSK |
| Video Codec | MPEG-2 (SD), MPEG-4 (HD) | MPEG-2 (SD), MPEG-4 (HD) |
| Service ID (SID) | 2604 | 2604 |
Al Ekhbariya Programming Schedule
Al Ekhbariya maintains a structured daily schedule balancing news bulletins with analytical programming and international content distribution. The schedule reflects professional broadcast standards with multiple daily news cycles addressing different audience segments and time zones.
| Time Slot (UTC) | Program Type | Target Audience |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00 – 09:00 | Morning News Bulletin and Business Coverage | Business professionals and early-morning news viewers |
| 09:00 – 12:00 | Feature Reports and International News Analysis | General audiences seeking deeper context |
| 12:00 – 14:00 | Midday News Summary with Market Updates | Professionals during work breaks and traders |
| 14:00 – 18:00 | Afternoon Features and Documentary Programming | Afternoon viewers and archival audience |
| 18:00 – 20:00 | Pre-Prime News and Transition Programming | Evening news seekers during transition periods |
| 20:00 – 22:00 | Prime Time News Bulletin with Extended Analysis | Primary evening audience and international viewers |
| 22:00 – 06:00 | Late-Night Repeats and International Feeds | Night-shift workers and time-zone distributed audiences |
Al Ekhbariya Technical Requirements
Modern satellite reception of Al Ekhbariya requires compatible equipment meeting DVB-S/DVB-S2 standards. Specific technical specifications vary by region and desired video quality, with HD reception demanding more sensitive equipment than SD alternatives.
- Satellite Dish – Ku-band parabolic dish 60-120cm diameter depending on geographic location (90cm recommended for most Middle East locations)
- LNB Type – Universal Ku-band Low Noise Block converter with local oscillator frequency 10.6-10.65 GHz
- Receiver Compatibility – DVB-S/DVB-S2 standard satellite receiver with QPSK demodulation capability
- Display Equipment – TV or monitor supporting MPEG-2 and MPEG-4/H.264 video codecs for HD reception
- Cabling – RG-6 75-ohm coaxial cable with proper impedance for signal integrity over distance
- Installation – Professional dish alignment ensuring minimum signal strength of -65 dBm for reliable reception
Al Ekhbariya Support & Resources
Al Ekhbariya provides multiple channels for viewer support, program information, and technical assistance. These resources facilitate audience engagement and help resolve reception issues through both traditional and digital platforms.
- Official Website – https://www.alekbariya.net provides live streaming, program schedules, news archives, and viewer contact information
- Live Streaming – Online viewing available through official website and YouTube channel for international audiences without satellite reception
- Social Media – Active Twitter (@AlEkhbariya_KSA), Facebook, and Instagram accounts provide real-time news updates and breaking news alerts
- Viewer Feedback – SMS, email, and online forms enable audience comments, complaints, and reception issues reporting