From a single Arabic channel MBC 1 back in the 90s to 9 channels today, MBC is a legend. Cleverly positioning its multi-channels network throughout the Arab World, the first-ever independent Arabic Satellite TV station now delivers news and quality entertainment programs to more than 130 million Arabic Speaking people in the World. Yet recently, MBC’s actions have recently turned heads making viewers wonder, what will they do next?

MBC are back in the spot light and no doubt viewers are wondering whether the network will continue to translate US and UK hit shows into Arabic or whether the company will dig deep and pull out rich authentic Arabic content.

It’s no easy choice. Whilst many viewers enjoy US hit comedies such as Friends, the question that has arisen is should these foreign TV hits be translated into Arabic? Critics might say that there is no need, after all most Arabs do speak English and so the debate continues. These critics argue, why have an Arabic channel called MBC ‘it’s 4 U’ if the programs are foreign and translated.

MBC needs to decide should it play it safe and select hits that its target audience seeks out or should it carve itself out as a network that only has strong excellent Arabic shows?

One of the main challenges is quite simply finding excellent content.  With 9 channels; MBC 1, MBC 2, MBC children channel 3, MBC Max, MBC Action, MBC Persia, MBC +  and the news channel Al Arbieya, MBC has got its work cut out.  Yet, despite an apparent battle between the US imported shows and incorporating more Arabic shows, MBC has taken some startling steps in other areas. Just this year, after the success of its Turkish programs, Noor and Sanawat El Daya’a MBC introduced its first PTW “Pay to Watch” channel MBC+.

In addition, MBC also gave its viewers the opportunity to watch another Drama; Bab Al hara. We appreciate that. We have longed for more Drama’s for so long and now finally we can tune in and watch a well produced Syrian Drama – never mind the fact that I am Syrian but I love that show.

To top it off, MBC surprised us all when they recently introduced a Persian channel. With Arabic, Turkish and now Persian channels, just where in the World will MBC go next?