Algerian TV viewers to miss out on 2006 World Cup

2006-06-02

A great disappointment could be in store for Algerian television viewers: They may be unable to watch the football World Cup, which begins on 9 June, televised live from Germany. Algeria’s only television channel has announced it was unable to pay the fee for the re-broadcasting rights to the Arab ART group, which holds broadcasting rights.

By Nazim Fethi for Magharebia in Algiers -- 02/06/06

[Getty Images] Algerian football lovers will miss the world cup this year.

Due to the state-owned television stations' decision not to buy re-broadcasting rights for this year's World Cup, Algerian television viewers may be unable to watch the world's most anticipated football matches, which kicks off on 9 June in Germany.

Although the country's national team did not qualify to join the 32-team Cup finals, football is almost a way of life in Algeria. According to Pascal Boniface, founder of the Institut de Relations Internationales et Stratégiques,"The market economy, Internet, democracy, and even electricity are yet to penetrate as many parts of the planet as football has." Algerian viewers are also avid viewers of European football championships, which they watch from pirated channels. Without being able to watch the month-long world championship, many fans in the country will be devastated.

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However, the country's stations say, the cost is too high. The Arab Radio and Television (ART) satellite network is offering subscriptions at 10,000 dinars -- which is equivalent to the national minimum monthly wage. Meanwhile, European satellite packages are charging higher fees of between 28,000 and 60,000 dinars.

Viewers in the country who are used to watching satellite channels will also be disappointed, since the major television packages have decided to encrypt their signals from the World Cup. Since some Algerians pirate these programs without paying the monthly fee, they assumed they could use these means to watch the Cup matches.

Even the European analogue channels, which have been received in Algeria without difficulty, are announcing that they intend to encrypt live match broadcasts. Viewers who were able to decrypt these channels are certain that it will be impossible for them to do this since television channels have had to pay very large sums for broadcasting rights.

According to the Oxford Business Group's 2006 review of the country, due to growing competition from satellite channels, increasing pressure for freedom of the press and a continuing state monopoly on television, the media sector in Algeria is in serious need of liberalisation. After a month with no World Cup broadcasts, football fans may agree.

This content was commissioned for Magharebia.com.
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سكان مدينة حطان اقليم خريبكة المغرب Posted 2006-09-16

We demand an investigation about the city of Hattane which which is marginalized despite producing Phosphate

mustapha Posted 2006-09-23

Greetings! this is a very good experience and a nice meeting and exchange place for Arab cultures and peoples and other readers.

loulou Posted 2006-10-12

Has the famous cook Rizki really died?

benhammou_zoubir Posted 2006-10-16

We want to know the truth, and only the truth.

محمد Posted 2007-01-01

Long live Mouloudia of Ouahran!

اينشطين Posted 2007-02-07

Greetings! I can't not watch the World Cup, I am a big scientist, and i will invent a huge machine called Big Big!!

أحمد Posted 2007-03-11

Thanks for the information!

123456 Posted 2007-03-15

Upsetting!

ياسين Posted 2007-04-16

Long Live Sidi Ali

سرين Posted 2007-04-16

Long live JSK - long live Algeria

زاكي Posted 2007-04-18

Long live Jawarih aso

Anonymous Posted 2007-04-20

Long live Wifaq Steif.

sara Posted 2007-05-09

Long live Es-Setif and always Setif Setif hand in hand

HOUARI Posted 2007-05-09

ESS power

fffff Posted 2007-05-14

Long live the Mouloudia happy

salim Posted 2007-05-28

Long live Es-Setif, always high in the tops I love them and love those who love them ESS

Med Lamine Posted 2007-06-13

Long live Algeria and those who don't like her we don't like them.

زينب أودغيري Posted 2007-06-24

Long live Algeria it's only our country we can't relinquish and Algerians as Lamine has said, we don't love those who don't love it.

minou Posted 2007-07-02

Salam alaikoum Algerians, I ask my God to guide you Muslims, I hope that the Algerian TV will show less music so that we can watch the channel without being disturbed by music. God bless you and bless all Algerians.

دودو Posted 2007-08-10

Will the game between Algeria and Brazil be broadcast on Algerian channels?

إســــــلام الروجي H R Posted 2007-09-06

Long live Algeria, we love you our country, we love you more and more. We Algerians are winners, and those who destroy us losers. In any country you find us in football. There are still men in Algeria. Inchallah the national team will make us happy. Say Amen.

عبد النور Posted 2007-09-17

Long live my country the state of pride and dignity. No to violence, yes to stability. There is no one who doesn’t love his country; and wherever you go, you will not find anyone to care for you better than your country. But, but, but in sports we were all affected by the defeat. But we pray that Madjer will come inchallah as coach for Algeria and will start a new page. Long live Algeria.

محمد من ولاية سعيدة Posted 2007-09-29

Long live Mouloudia Saida, long live Soukar and Cheikh Hamidi.

بلال Posted 2007-10-18

Long live Algeria and the municipality of Chalghoum Aleid.

شعيب مهماهي Posted 2007-10-27

Thanks to Algeria. Long live Es-Setif. Ain Touta, Batna.

عبدالواحد Posted 2007-11-03

Long live USMA

ahmed babia Posted 2007-11-16

Power and Always Babia a champion.

سماح Posted 2007-11-19

Long live Algeria against all those who disagree. We're the best people. And those who don't want, may they become blind this is how we do, the Algerians are Kamikazes, they all fly.

منتا Posted 2007-12-01

Why didn't they broadcast all the games?

أسامة رحماني Posted 2007-12-06

Long live Algeria's ES Setif.

الشيخ شمباع تمنراست Posted 2007-12-06

Long live Algeria, long live Bouteflika. We're one nation from the South to the North and from the East to the West. Welcome to all Algerians in Tamanrasset, a big greeting to the great Algerian people and a special greeting to Smail, Riham, Douaa, Khaled and Brahim.

chouaib mahmahi Posted 2007-12-08

Long live the great Algeria, long live Es-Setif 19, long live the Algerian people, the nation of a million and half a million from the east to the west to the north. Inchallah I wish progress for Algeria in the near future. Long live Bouteflika. Chouaib from Ain Touta Barna 05

rabih bitam Posted 2007-12-10

Salam alaikoum. Long live Algeria- We're one people, from the East to the South, to the West to the North. Those who don't love Algeria, their death is better than their life. From Rabeh Bitam to the people of Ain Touta Batna. Greetings to the Algerians. Long live Bouteflika 48

أحمد Posted 2007-12-11

The truth in Algeria is that we only think of the present. So we have to think again and start only when everyone loves the good of the common interest. And when the Algerian loves his neighbour as he loves himself, then... Algeria is a legacy of the forefathers, and one day we'll be accountable for the legacy.

امان Posted 2007-12-22

Long live Es-Setif from Algeria.

خلود Posted 2008-01-07

Salam, I'm Khouloud and I love so much Mouloudia of Algiers, I'm with them to the end. May God assist them inchallah they will win in everything, I'm quite satisfied to be the daughter of a million and half a million martyrs. The Mouloudia is in my blood and I love it as much as I love my country Algeria. Khouloud, thank you.

chouaib Posted 2008-01-08

Salam alaikoum. I wish a blessed year to the Magharebia site and the Arab people. We, as Algerians, are one hand and hope that Sheikh Rabeh Saadane will offer to the national team the best fitness and the best players in future in Ghana Cup, and inchallah victory and the final. We hope God will protect president Bouteflika and save him from every harm. Inchallah a mandate of 100 years.

smoul Posted 2008-01-17

Hello, Simply put: I love this.

مكناسي أحمد Posted 2008-02-04

Long live the wilds in spite of you Setif.

مكناسي أحمد Posted 2008-02-04

Long live Olympique Chlef the wild ASO

said Posted 2008-02-06

Long live the people of El Borj from Said. Inchallah they will stay on top. Long live the Cabba cup. Inchallah, against the envious... the angry and desperate.

عاشور Posted 2008-02-19

Very good.

nora Posted 2008-02-23

I will love you forever.

حليمة Posted 2008-02-26

A special greeting to Oueld Tiguedi and Soukar in Mouloudia Said I wish you success. A warm greeting to Jamal Eddine Walid la gare

ندير Posted 2008-03-10

Long live Algeria.

KADER Posted 2008-03-27

Long live Algeria and Barcelona!

محمد Posted 2008-04-28

The best goalie was in the 1993 Tram Sport club.

vive-lalgirie Posted 2008-05-02

Salam alikoum. Long live Algeria. God willing it will become again what it used to be in football. Long live Algeria.

سعداني عبد الرؤوف "الوادي" Posted 2008-05-11

Long live Es-Setif. They are the champions of the Arab champions league.

nadjia Posted 2008-05-22

Long live Algeria and, of course, Setif and its team! Go Black and Whites!

nadjia Posted 2008-05-22

Hello, Personally, I am Algerian of El-Alma origin. I adore the Setif team. Black and Whites! Long live Algeria! I hope they win!

عابد Posted 2008-06-06

I hope that Es-Setif be the basis of football in Algeria. I wish them success in their victory.

يسري Posted 2008-06-06

Peace, mercy and blessings of God the Almighty upon you. Can I address a word from the high summits of Al Ouras Mountains to the sons of El Boubia and all the fans of this nice team? Long live MSPB today and tomorrow!

محمد Posted 2008-08-05

Long live Chnaoua in spite of Setif.

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