Language/Standard-arabic/Culture/Arabic-TV
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As a Standard Arabic language teacher, I believe learning about Arabic cinema and TV is an essential part of understanding the modern Arabic world. Arabic TV, in particular, is one of the most popular forms of entertainment throughout the Arab world. In this lesson, we will explore the history and evolution of Arabic TV, as well as some of the most popular TV shows and series in the Arabic world.
With the completion of this lesson, consider investigating these related pages: Dabke dance & Bahrain Timeline.
History of Arabic TV
The first Arabic-language television station, the Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (LBC), was launched in 1959. In the following years, other Arab countries, such as Egypt, Syria, and Saudi Arabia, established their own TV stations. At first, most programming was imported from other countries, but as Arabic TV became more popular, local production began to take off.
The advances in technology in the 1980s allowed for the creation of satellite TV, which revolutionized Arabic TV. Instead of being limited to a specific country, viewers could now watch programs from all over the world, including foreign movies and TV series. The rise of satellite TV led to an explosion of Arabic TV stations, including dedicated news and sports channels.
Popular Arabic TV shows and series
Arabic TV is home to a wide range of shows and series, encompassing everything from drama and comedy to cooking and game shows. Here are a few examples of popular Arabic TV shows:
Bab El-Hara
A Syrian-produced period drama, Bab El-Hara is set in the 1920s during the French colonial era in Syria. The show follows the lives of the residents of a fictional neighborhood in Damascus and is known for its elaborate costumes and detailed sets.
Al-Sharq Al-Adna
Al-Sharq Al-Adna is a soap opera that aired in the 1990s and is still considered one of the most popular Arabic TV series of all time. It tells the story of a wealthy family and their personal and political struggles in the wake of the Gulf War.
Al-Bernameg
Al-Bernameg was a political satire show hosted by Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef. The show gained notoriety for its criticism of the Egyptian government and often pushed the boundaries of free speech in the country.
Star Academy
Similar to shows like American Idol and The Voice, Star Academy is a singing competition that originated in Lebanon in 2003. Contestants live together in a house and are trained in singing, dancing, and other performance skills before competing for votes from the audience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Arabic TV is an important cultural phenomenon in the Arab world, both as a form of entertainment and as a reflection of the political and social issues facing Arabic-speaking countries. By learning about Arabic TV shows and series, students of Standard Arabic can gain a deeper understanding of the language and culture. As always, it is important to keep practicing your reading and listening skills in Arabic in order to fully appreciate the richness of the language and culture.
Sources
Great work on completing this lesson! Take a moment to investigate these connected pages: Arabic poetry & Kuwait Timeline.
Other Lessons
- Why Learn Arabic
- Arabic music genres
- The Arabic language
- Dabke dance
- The 3 Types of Arabic Language
- History of Arabic calligraphy
- Arabic beauty and cosmetics
- Iraq Timeline
- Kuwait Timeline
◀️ Arabic cinema — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Traditional Arabic dress ▶️ |