The Middle East’s Fastest-Growing Christian Television Network Expands Its U.S. Leadership Team

Keeping up with Demand in Middle East Leads Christian Satellite Network to Add 2 Channels and 2 Executives in 12 Months

EASTON, Md., Feb. 28, 2008—Even as tensions in the region continue to escalate, SAT-7® -the only Christian television network broadcasting locally-produced original programming across the Middle East and North Africa 24 hours a day seven days a week-is continuing its rapid growth. With an audience of more than 8 million viewers each week and growing, SAT-7 added a third channel in 2007 to keep up with the demand for positive, uplifting programs.

"We are privileged to now be broadcasting to the entire Middle East through three unique satellite channels: SAT-7 ARABIC, SAT-7 PARS, and the newest addition, SAT-7 KIDS," said SAT-7 USA's new Executive Director Paul Dilcher. "These three full-time satellite channels have the potential to reach more than 200 million people - almost half of the population of the Middle East, Iran and Turkey."

SAT-7's original channel began in 1996 and continues to broadcast in Arabic. SAT-7 PARS, launched in late 2006, reaches Iran and the Persian world, including Iran, Afghanistan and Turkey, through widely-popular Farsi and Turkish-language programs. SAT-7 KIDS began broadcasting 24 hours per day in December 2007.  In stark contrast to the mostly dour programming available on local networks in the region, SAT-7 KIDS presents wholesome, fun and positive Christian programming. The channel is now available to more than half of the 100 million children in the Arab World under the age of 15. 

"By our best estimates, as many as 70% of our 8-10 million viewers may be from a non-Christian background," said Dilcher.  "The responses we receive from the three 24-hour, 7-days-per-week channels are very encouraging and are growing in number." He explained that SAT-7 programs are particularly powerful because they feature people from the same countries and cultures.

Leadership Expansion

New Executive Director, Paul Dilcher comes to SAT-7 following a successful career as a senior executive in the food distribution industry.  Joining the U.S. staff is new Senior Vice President Charles Lambert. With extensive experience in international missions and church relations, Lambert will join the new executive team with Dilcher and Debbie Brink, also recently appointed a senior vice president to expand awareness of and support for SAT-7 among Christians in the United States.

Launched in 1996, SAT-7 is a Christian television service created by and for the people of the Middle East and North Africa with U.S.  headquarters in Easton, Md. Each week between 8 and 10 million people tune in (Intermedia research, 2004 - 2006). Broadcast in three languages - Arabic, Farsi and Turkish-SAT-7 can be viewed via satellite in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, much of Central Asia and worldwide at www.SAT7.org.

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