The Relationships Between the Arab Satellite TV Broadcasters and Their Audience

Abstract

A large amount of research has been dedicated to the relationship between the TV broadcasters and the audiences around the world. Moreover, TV broadcasters are usually keen to build a wider and deeper understanding of their audiences’ needs and tendencies. Meanwhile, the audiences have their own expectations and views towards the broadcast material. Accordingly, many theories and models have been designed to study the relationship between TV broadcasters and their audiences, and the mutual influences between the two. This study has used qualitative research methods to assess the performance of Arab satellite TV channels within three dimensions to answer a central question about the relationships between the Arab satellite TV broadcasters and their audiences. Firstly, commercial TV which plays an important role in the overall media market as a source of information and fun for the masses. Their importance and popularity rely on the fact that they are not owned by governments, but are mostly independent, and they try to adjust their broadcasts to prevalent needs and tendencies among audiences for the purpose of achieving the highest business benefits. Therefore, the study deals with an emphasis on the Lebanese LBC channel. The study found that LBC has been surviving as a media business on the idea and intention of maintaining the widest audience base possible with a strong flow of program sponsorship, regardless of what is permitted or not by the local Arab culture. Accordingly, the channel has differentiated itself from other Arab TV channels, and given itself the unique role of satisfying the sexual and entertainment needs of the wider audience, as the studied factor of human needs has been shown to be the most influential among the other study factors.