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BBC News Arabic Frequency on Arabsat 2026 – Complete Settings
BBC News Arabic on Arabsat Badr-4 26.0°E: 11996 MHz H, DVB-S QPSK, SR 27500, FEC 3/4. HD news coverage across MENA region.
BBC News Arabic delivers authoritative international and regional news coverage in high-definition format exclusively via Arabsat Badr-4, serving Arabic-speaking audiences throughout the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe. This comprehensive guide details the exact frequency parameters, coverage specifications, competitive positioning, technical requirements, and alternative satellite options for receiving BBC News Arabic. Learn optimal dish setup strategies for the 26°E orbital position and discover backup reception pathways.
How to Tune BBC News Arabic
Setting up BBC News Arabic on your satellite receiver requires proper dish orientation toward Arabsat’s 26°E orbital position. Use a satellite signal meter to ensure precise alignment before inputting frequency parameters into your receiver’s manual tuning interface.
- Step 1 – Point dish to Arabsat Badr-4 at 26.0°E position
- Step 2 – Enter frequency 11996 MHz and symbol rate 27500 Ks/s
- Step 3 – Set polarization to Horizontal and FEC to 3/4
- Step 4 – Scan and save BBC News Arabic in your channel list
Who Watches BBC News Arabic
BBC News Arabic attracts professional audiences, news-focused individuals, and educated viewers seeking reliable international journalism. The channel reaches government officials, business professionals, academics, and news-conscious demographics across MENA region with peak viewership during major news cycles.
- News Professionals – Journalists, media workers, news researchers
- Business Community – Executives, traders, market-focused professionals
- Educated Audiences – Students, academics, intellectual viewers
- Peak Hours – 08:00-10:00 GMT and 18:00-21:00 GMT (News cycles)
BBC News Arabic Coverage Map
Arabsat Badr-4 at 26°E provides excellent coverage across the Middle East, North Africa, and extends into Southern and Central Europe. Signal quality remains strong throughout primary MENA region but weakens toward European peripheries.
| Region | Satellite | Signal Quality | Recommended Dish Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middle East (Gulf) | Arabsat Badr-4 (26.0°E) | Excellent | 60-75cm |
| North Africa (MENA) | Arabsat Badr-4 (26.0°E) | Excellent | 60-75cm |
| Europe (Southern) | Arabsat Badr-4 (26.0°E) | Good | 75-90cm |
BBC News Arabic Alternative Satellites
While BBC News Arabic broadcasts exclusively from Arabsat Badr-4, the BBC operates news channels on alternative platforms. Viewers in specific regions may access BBC English or BBC World via different satellites for complementary news coverage.
- Arabsat Badr-5 (26.0°E) – Potential future alternative platform from Arabsat fleet
- Arabsat Badr-7 (26.0°E) – Extended Arabsat network capacity option
- Hotbird 13E (13.0°E) – Other BBC services in European beam
- BBC Online/Streaming – Direct digital alternative via internet
Similar Channels to BBC News Arabic
Numerous news channels compete in the Arabic-language news space, offering traditional journalism, political analysis, and international coverage. These alternatives serve overlapping news-focused audiences with varying editorial perspectives.
- Sky News Arabia – Premium news network with extensive resources
- Al Jazeera Arabic – Major pan-Arab news network
- MBC News – Commercial news broadcaster from Saudi network
- Al Arabiya – Saudi-backed news network competitor
BBC News Arabic vs Competitors
BBC News Arabic occupies the premium international news segment, competing against regional news networks and global broadcasters. The comparison illustrates positioning within the Arabic news landscape.
| Feature | BBC News Arabic | Al Jazeera | Sky News Arabia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video Quality | HD (1280×720) | HD (1280×720) | HD+ (1920×1080) |
| Encryption | FTA (Free-To-Air) | FTA | FTA |
| News Focus | International/Regional Mix | Pan-Arab Perspective | Premium Regional News |
| Broadcast Satellites | Arabsat 26.0°E | Multiple (Hotbird, Nilesat, Arabsat) | Eutelsat, Nilesat |
BBC News Arabic Frequency Parameters
Precise frequency specifications are essential for reliable reception. These parameters represent verified current settings as of December 2025 and must be entered exactly into your receiver.
| Parameter | Value | Technical Details |
|---|---|---|
| Frequency | 11996 MHz | Ku-band standard, DVB-S transmission format |
| Polarization | H (Horizontal) | Horizontal signal reception via standard LNB |
| Symbol Rate | 27500 Ks/s | MPEG-2 video format standard |
| FEC (Error Correction) | 3/4 | Standard error correction for HD video |
BBC News Arabic Programming Schedule
BBC News Arabic operates a continuous news cycle with multiple bulletin broadcasts daily, supplemented by in-depth analysis programs and international news features. Programming structure adapts to major news events and editorial priorities.
| Time Slot (GMT) | Programming Type | Audience Target |
|---|---|---|
| 06:00 – 12:00 | Morning news, international updates, business briefings | Early morning viewers, business professionals |
| 12:00 – 17:00 | Mid-day news, feature reports, international coverage | Daytime viewers, general audiences |
| 17:00 – 20:00 | Evening news, major stories, analysis programs | Early evening audiences, professionals |
| 20:00 – 00:00 | Prime-time news, detailed investigations, documentaries | Prime-time viewers, engaged audiences |
BBC News Arabic Technical Requirements
BBC News Arabic requires standard satellite receiving equipment compatible with DVB-S transmission standard. Most receivers manufactured after 2005 are capable of decoding this broadcast without special equipment.
- Dish Size – Minimum 75cm for Gulf region, 90cm for North Africa
- LNB Type – Universal Ku-band LNB with low noise figure (under 0.8dB)
- Receiver Compatibility – DVB-S capable satellite receiver or modern smart TV
- Connection Cable – High-quality RG-6 shielded cable with proper grounding
BBC News Arabic Support & Resources
BBC provides multiple support channels and resources for technical assistance and programming information. Official platforms offer comprehensive viewer support and content guides.
- Official Website – bbc.com/arabic for full schedules and news
- BBC Technical Support – Available through BBC website contact forms
- Live Streaming – bbc.com/news/world for online viewing options
- Social Media – Twitter @bbcarabic and Facebook for updates