'45 satellite TV channels broadcast from Jordan'

AMMAN — The number of satellite television channels broadcasting from Jordan reached 45 at the end of 2015, according to Jordan Media Commission Director Amjad Qadi.

Of these satellite channels, more than 20 are owned by Jordanian investors, while the rest are owned by Arab investors from different countries, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Algeria, Qadi told The Jordan Times in a phone interview on Tuesday.

More than half of the channels broadcast all types of programmes, including news, entertainment, sports, drama series and talk shows, the official said.

Some of the channels are for broadcasting commercials only, he noted.

In 2015, the commission cancelled the licences of seven satellite channels upon their request, as they faced some financial problems and went out of business, Qadi said.

He added that five satellite channels are currently awaiting approval to receive licences to start operating, including a channel for the Public Security Department and Ain Jordan station.

The official said three new radio stations received licences in 2015, increasing the overall number of radio channels broadcasting from Jordan to 42.

Of these radio stations, around 35 are owned by Jordanian investors, while the rest are owned by investors from several Arab nationalities.

The majority of these channels are general radio stations, while some of them specialise in entertainment and sports news, he added.