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Athaqafia (القناة الثقافية) is Morocco’s premier cultural television channel operated by SNRT. Launched in 2005, Athaqafia broadcasts high-definition documentary programming, educational content, cultural heritage programs, and artistic productions showcasing Moroccan and Arab civilization. The channel reaches approximately 800,000 regular viewers interested in history, documentaries, and educational television. Athaqafia serves diverse demographics including educators, students, intellectuals, and culturally engaged audiences across North Africa and diaspora communities worldwide.

How to Tune Athaqafia HD

To receive Athaqafia HD, position your satellite dish toward Eutelsat 7 West A at 7.3°W. This satellite transmits Athaqafia with strong signal coverage across North Africa. The channel shares transponders with other SNRT channels including Arryadia, Al Maghribia, and Assadissa. Enter the frequency parameters listed below into your receiver’s manual search function and perform an automatic channel scan to locate all available SNRT channels simultaneously.

1. Step 1 – Point dish to 7.3°W (Eutelsat 7 West A satellite position)
2. Step 2 – Enter frequency 11514 MHz and symbol rate 27500 Ks/s
3. Step 3 – Set polarization to Vertical (V) and FEC to 2/3
4. Step 4 – Scan channel list and save Athaqafia to your receiver

Who Watches Athaqafia HD

Athaqafia HD attracts educated audiences including educators, university students, cultural enthusiasts, historians, and lifelong learners. The channel appeals to viewers aged 25–65 who value documentary content, historical analysis, and cultural programming. Athaqafia also serves as a resource for distance learning and educational institutions across Morocco. The channel’s content aligns with UNESCO cultural preservation initiatives and Arab intellectual discourse.

• Educators & Students – Documentary series, educational documentaries, historical analysis for curriculum supplementation
• Cultural Enthusiasts – Heritage programs, art documentary, civilization studies, archaeological discoveries
• Intellectuals & Academics – In-depth analysis, philosophical discussions, literary reviews, cultural commentary
• Peak Hours – Weekday 20:00–23:00 GMT and weekend afternoons 14:00–17:00 GMT

Athaqafia HD Coverage Map

Athaqafia HD transmits via Eutelsat 7 West A’s Northwest Africa beam with excellent coverage across Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya. Secondary coverage extends to Mauritania and parts of Western Sahara. The channel is also available via Hotbird 13F for European reception and Nilesat 201 for complementary North African coverage. Regional dish sizes vary based on geographic location and signal strength requirements within each footprint.

Athaqafia HD Alternative Satellites

Athaqafia broadcasts on multiple satellite platforms to provide reception redundancy and geographic flexibility. Primary transmission occurs on Eutelsat 7 West A with secondary feeds on Hotbird 13F and Nilesat 201. Multiple satellite availability ensures continuous access during maintenance windows and provides backup reception if primary satellite signal is compromised. International viewers in Europe or the Middle East can select appropriate satellite positions based on geographic location.

• Hotbird 13F (13.0°E) – European widebeam, frequency 10873 MHz V, supports 1.2m dish reception, optimized for Europe and Mediterranean
• Nilesat 201 (7.0°W) – North African regional coverage, frequency 11475 MHz V, FEC 3/4, complementary feed to Eutelsat 7 West A
• Es’hail 1 (25.5°E) – Middle East/Arabian Peninsula MENA beam, emerging alternative for Gulf region reception
• Arabsat Badr (26.0°E) – Historic orbital position, variable frequency allocation, now limited primary availability

Similar Channels to Athaqafia HD

Several Moroccan and Arab cultural channels offer similar documentary and educational programming. These channels target intellectually engaged audiences seeking cultural content, historical analysis, and educational resources. Many viewers subscribe to multiple cultural channels to access diverse perspectives on shared regional heritage and contemporary cultural issues.

• Al Maghribia HD – Moroccan general entertainment channel with documentary segments, broadcasts on identical frequency 11514 MHz V
• Assadissa HD – Moroccan educational channel emphasizing Islamic studies and tradition, shares transponder frequency 11514 MHz V
• Tamazight HD – Moroccan Berber cultural channel, identical frequency 11514 MHz V with Amazigh language content
• Al Aoula Middle East – Moroccan national generalist channel with cultural programming, frequency 11475 MHz V

Athaqafia HD vs Competitors

Athaqafia competes primarily with other SNRT group channels and regional documentary networks. The channel’s competitive strengths include exclusive Moroccan cultural content, high production quality, and alignment with national cultural policy. Compared to pan-Arab networks, Athaqafia offers deeper focus on North African heritage and Moroccan civilization. The channel’s free-to-air transmission model provides cost-free access versus premium documentary services offered by commercial networks.

Athaqafia HD Frequency Parameters

Athaqafia HD utilizes identical frequency parameters as other SNRT channels on Eutelsat 7 West A. The channel employs DVB-S2 digital modulation with MPEG-4 video codec for efficient bandwidth utilization. Forward error correction (FEC 2/3) ensures reception quality during adverse weather conditions. These specifications guarantee compatibility with modern DVB-S2 receivers and maintain high-definition broadcast quality across all transmission routes.

Athaqafia HD Programming Schedule

Athaqafia HD maintains a culturally focused programming schedule emphasizing documentary content (35%), educational programs (25%), cultural heritage (20%), and special events (20%). The channel produces original Moroccan documentary series and acquires international cultural programming adapted for Arabic-speaking audiences. Weekend programming features extended documentary blocks and cultural analysis shows appealing to audiences with greater viewing availability.

Athaqafia HD Technical Requirements

Receiving Athaqafia HD requires DVB-S2 compatible satellite receiver hardware with MPEG-4 video decoding capability. Standard universal Ku-band LNBs provide necessary frequency conversion for typical 10.7–12.75 GHz reception bands. Dish size requirements depend on geographic location; North African viewers typically achieve good reception with 90cm dishes, while European reception generally requires 120cm or larger reflectors. Cable quality and grounding connections significantly impact reception reliability in regions with atmospheric precipitation.

• Dish Size – 90cm minimum for Morocco; 90-120cm for Algeria/Tunisia; 120-150cm for Libya; 150cm+ for Europe
• LNB Type – Universal Ku-band LNB, 0.2-0.3dB noise figure; single or quad LNB configurations both acceptable
• Receiver – DVB-S2 satellite receiver with MPEG-4 H.264 decoder; software version 2010 or newer recommended
• Cabling – RG-6 75-ohm coaxial cable with foil/braid shielding; minimize cable lengths to reduce signal loss

Athaqafia HD Support & Resources

SNRT Group provides comprehensive support for Athaqafia viewers through official website channels, social media platforms, and technical support services. The organization maintains detailed programming schedules, archives of previous broadcasts, and educational resources for students and researchers. Regional broadcasting offices offer technical assistance for reception issues and information about satellite transmission parameters.

• Official Website – https://www.snrt.ma (SNRT portal with Athaqafia programming schedule, documentary archives, and educational resources)
• Live Stream – SNRT Play platform provides web-based streaming access with same-day broadcast content replay capabilities
• Social Media – Athaqafia Facebook and Twitter accounts offer program announcements, schedule updates, and viewer interaction
• Troubleshooting – Contact SNRT technical department for frequency verification; check dish alignment to 7.3°W; verify receiver FEC 2/3 support; update receiver software quarterly for compatibility