OSN

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Coordinates: 25°5′49″N 55°9′26″E / 25.09694°N 55.15722°E / 25.09694; 55.15722

Orbit Showtime Network
TypePrivate
IndustryBroadcast
Founded12 July 2009; 12 years ago (2009-07-12)
Headquarters'Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain' 'Dubai, United Arab Emirates'
Area served
Middle East and North Africa
Key people
Faisal Al Ayyar (Chairman, Panther Media Group Limited)
Sangeeta Desai (CEO, OSN)
ProductsDirect-broadcast satellite
OwnerPanther Media Group Ltd
Websitewww.osn.com
Footnotes / references
Coverage Area http://www.nilesat.com.eg/CoverageArea.aspx

Orbit Showtime Network (OSN HD), stylized as osn,[1] is a Middle-Eastern multinational direct-broadcast satellite provider serving the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). It offers popular entertainment content such as movies, series,sporting events and various TV shows from major networks and studios such as Nickelodeon, Paramount, BBC, TV5Monde, Star Select, Disney, ITV Studios, ABC Studios, GMA Network, LBCI, National Geographic, Discovery, Inc., and beIN Sports[2] in addition to local versions specifically for the MENA region. As of 2015 OSN offers 154 television channels and 53 high-definition channels and 3D entertainment. OSN was formed as a result of merger of two of the Mideast's largest TV networks from homes and hotels, Orbit and Showtime Arabia in 2009.[3]


OSN introduced several technologies and services in the Middle East market. In 2012 the OSN DVR HD was launched. OSN Play, an online TV platform;[4] Plus HD, a 3D, HD, internet-enabled satellite receiver and recorder[5] and OSN on Demand, the region's first VOD service were all launched in the same year.[6]

Overview[edit]

OSN's logo from 2 September 2013 until 5 April 2020.

Orbit Showtime Network (OSN) was created by merger of the two largest pay TV operators in the Middle East: Orbit Communications Company – a member of Riyadh-based Mawarid Holdings, and Showtime Arabia – a subsidiary of Kuwait-based KIPCO.[7] Showtime Arabia was launched in 1996 as a joint venture between KIPCO (79%) and CBS Corporation (21%) and six years after its launch became the number one satellite television platform in MENA. Showtime Arabia continued its growth in the region by adding a range of new channels and new services such as the “Showbox DVR’ System in 2005 which allowed subscribers to record different programmes. In 2008, Showtime Arabia also introduced a video on-demand service, broadcasting full seasons of premier U.S. series and top Hollywood movies.[8] Bahrain-based Orbit was the first pay TV service in the Middle East though challenging environment —from rampant piracy to stubbornly low subscriber base— drove it to consolidate with the larger Showtime to better compete with popular free-to-air satellite television.[9]

On 6 April 2020, OSN unveiled a new logo after 11 years.

Technology[edit]

OSN had launched 2 multi-function interactive decoders:

  • OSN Plus HD
  • OSN HD

Channels[edit]

  • Alfa (Bahrain):
    • Alfa Cinema 1
    • Alfa Cinema 2
    • Al Safwa
    • Al Yawm HD
    • Alfa Series HD
    • Alfa Series +2 HD
    • Fann
    • Music Now
  • Movies:
    • OSN YH Cinema
    • ART Aflam 1
    • ART Aflam 2
    • ART Cinema
    • Alfa Cinema 1
    • Alfa Cinema 2
    • OSN Movies HD
    • OSN Movies First HD
    • OSN Movies First +2 HD
    • OSN Movies Family HD
    • OSN Cinema HD
    • OSN Kids HD
    • OSN Enigma HD
    • OSN Action HD
    • Star Movies HD
    • MBC2
    • MBC Max
    • MBC Action
    • MBC5
    • MBC Masr 1
    • MBC Masr 2
    • Rotana Cinema
    • Rotana Comedy
    • Rotana Classic

References[edit]

  1. ^ OSN website.
  2. ^ "OSN strengthens its presence in Qatar with new dealership". Zawya (Press release). OSN. November 19, 2013.
  3. ^ Birkinbine, B.; Gomez, R.; Wasko, J. (2016). Global Media Giants. Taylor & Francis. p. 282. ISBN 978-1-317-40286-2. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  4. ^ "OSN Play". OSN.
  5. ^ "OSN launches Plus HD". mediaME. 17 September 2012.
  6. ^ "OSN goes hybrid with new PVR". BroadcastPro Middle East. 5 November 2012.
  7. ^ Pavlik, J.V. (2015). Digital Technology and the Future of Broadcasting: Global Perspectives. Electronic Media Research Series. Taylor & Francis. p. 116. ISBN 978-1-317-48695-4. Retrieved April 8, 2017.
  8. ^ "Operator Briefing: Orbit Showtime Network (OSN)". Dataxis. June 2014.
  9. ^ "Shifting Orbit". Arabian Business. April 13, 2008.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

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