SAT-7 hits record amount of viewers

Middle East (MNN) — In a recent press release, SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, has reached a record number of people.

Reaching Millions

In fact, the report shares research from SAT-7’s audience in the MENA region, which consists of the Middle East and North Africa. According to the information, SAT-7’s three Arabic channels have seen a 76 percent increase in the last five years. The ministry has at least 20 million viewers on a regular basis, primarily in the Arab world.

As you can imagine, though, tracking SAT-7’s viewership isn’t easy. The MENA regions consist of a lot of “closed countries”. However, to ensure the most accurate results, SAT-7 pays a fee to partner with a larger survey.

“[The survey] is sponsored by reputable outside companies who are doing other questions, but they also ask our questions, and that’s an economical way to get at it. And that gives us some indication of what’s happening with viewership throughout at least the Arab world.”

Rogers says it tends to be harder to measure viewership in Iran and Turkey. Still, it’s hard to deny that the ministry’s reach is indeed growing. After all, SAT-7 is 20-years old and has a reputable name with quality work in the MENA region. Still, it’s more than that.

“We always say, ‘By Middle Easterners for Middle Easterners,’… It’s run by Middle Eastern people and we work hard on-air to be indigenous. In other words, there aren’t a lot of Westerners on there,” Rogers explains. “And spiritually, people are hungry for a message of love and reconciliation and help because they don’t get that on many of their own channels.”

Analyzing Results

Though the survey results don’t necessarily affect SAT-7’s programming, it does help in communicating the ministry’s effectiveness and impact to both themselves and everyone else involved. This can mean better information for workers who want to know they’re making a difference or even donors who hope to see their financial gifts used wisely to contribute to God’s Kingdom.

However, it’s likely that SAT-7’s actual numbers of impact are much higher than reported.

“The numbers we’re reporting, we’re very careful to vet them and to, if anything, err on the side of being restrictive or conservative, not exaggerate,” Rogers says.

“It’s exciting [the survey] to see that it actually measured an increase in viewership throughout these countries.”

SAT-7’s Advantage

As previously stated, many of the countries in the MENA region are considered “closed countries”. This means the Gospel can’t physically enter these countries through foreign missionaries.

On top of this, Rogers say throughout the Middle East and North Africa, approximately 50 percent of the population is illiterate. So even if a Bible could enter one of these countries, there’s the high chance the people wouldn’t be able to read it.

Thankfully, SAT-7’s satellite television shows aren’t dependent on an individual’s ability to read.

Another great thing about SAT-7’s satellite television ministry is that it is nearly impossible to stop.

“Satellite [TV] is virtually uncensorable. You can try to jam it, you might knock it off the air for a few hours, but you cannot successfully [block it]. Even the most sophisticated governments…they can’t knock off all the Christian channels, they can’t do it,” Rogers shares.

SAT-7 is also beginning to look at how it can share its videos through smartphones, which are increasingly becoming more and more popular with younger generations.

Want to Help?

Want to join SAT-7’s ministry? Well, you can start by simply praying. As Rogers says, praying isn’t a throw-away, it has real impact.

So please, pray for the ministry’s reach, the Gospel’s work, and SAT-7’s ability to continue sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ in homes where it truly can’t enter any other way, but on the television screen.

Secondly, would you be willing to donate to SAT-7? To support this Great Commission outreach, click here!