Satellite television remains central to SAT-7’s ministry. But in this digital age, as the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) increasingly moves online, SAT-7 is keeping up with the developing needs of its viewers.
BIRD’S EYE VIEW OF ONLINE SPACES
The way people watch media is changing. Viewing on Smartphones and mobile devices through apps and social media has become the preferred option for many, especially a new and growing younger audience.
According to the 2022 Arab Youth Survey, 62% of young people in the Arab World watch video content on their smartphones more than by any other method, and 53% subscribe to one or more online streaming services. SAT-7 wants to ensure that when people browse on their smart devices, the Good News of Jesus is there for them to find.
SAT-7 is making that Good News available through SAT-7 PLUS, the MENA’s first Christian video-on-demand and live-streaming platform, and through social media in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish.
SAT-7 PLUS CONTINUES TO THRIVE
SAT-7 PLUS was launched in 2021, and thousands of people worldwide are finding Christian content through it. In 2022, 43,074 hours were watched on SAT-7 PLUS, and by the end of the year, there had been 54,258 app installations.
SAT-7 PLUS is continuing to adapt. “In addition to hiring a User Interface & Experience Consultant in September of 2022, we also redesigned numerous assets,” says Shady Francis, SAT-7’s Digital Director for the Arabic Channels. “These small improvements go a long way in making the platform a much more enjoyable experience for our viewers. We’ve seen an increase in average session durations – how long people stay on SAT-7 PLUS – as well as in the number of sessions – how many times people visit SAT-7 PLUS. This is hugely encouraging, and we will continue improving the platform.”
SAT-7 PLUS now also has a presence on social media. This not only enables viewers to give feedback on the platform but also provides exposure to new users who would not otherwise know about it. Updates on social media are posted in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish, as SAT-7 PLUS includes programming from all SAT-7’s channels. In 2023 a mini-series will be produced especially for the platform.
A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA PRESENCE
Social media continued to play a vital role in viewer engagement in 2022. The channels found that different platforms were most effective for the needs of their respective audiences.
The social media strategy that was launched in 2021 and rolled out for SAT-7’s Arabic speaking viewers has worked remarkably well on Facebook. Specific pages enable users easily to find what is relevant to their age, gender, or context; these are dedicated to family, youth, worship content, and more. “By our optimizing this content strategy with new social media production,” said Shady, “Post Engagements [the sum of Reactions, Shares, Comments and Clicks] were 61% higher in 2022 across all our Arabic brands.”
“A new digital media strategy very similar to the one for SAT-7 Arabic has been prepared for SAT-7 PARS,” said Reza Jafari, SAT-7 PARS Creativity Manager. “It is a three-year plan. New productions have already been commissioned.”
Two series specifically produced for social media, Church4Kids and Sanctuary of the Heart, worked exceptionally well on Instagram throughout 2022. Facebook was blocked in Iran because of the ongoing protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, but Instagram is helping provide online Sunday school for Iranian children through Church4Kids and creating a space for viewers to receive live prayer and encouragement through Sanctuary of the Heart.
“During and in the post-pandemic period, we’ve seen new engagement on our social media platforms as people continue to search for hope,” explained SAT-7 TÜRK Executive Director Melih Ekener. “The political and economic crises in Türkiye have caused people to search us out. We have dedicated more work and focus to social media to meet our audience needs.” In 2022, SAT-7 TÜRK built a social media studio within its premises, and plans are underway for new tailored, short-form content for social media in 2023.
GROWING NEW AUDIENCES ONLINE
This year the team in Egypt will be creating an eight-episode drama tackling the challenges faced by women in the Middle East.
A new social media initiative, SAT-7 Khalijiah, will also be rolled out this year specifically for the Gulf region. It focuses on creating content by and for Christians in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait, where internet penetration is around 98%, according to Shady Francis, SAT-7 ARABIC Digital Director.
The goal is for SAT-7 ARABIC’s digital media to be inclusive of Christians in all their diversity and expand the church’s witness not only in countries where SAT-7 is well-established, but all over the Middle East.
“One of our goals at SAT-7 is to be open and find out where our viewers are and what their needs are. We are not all coming from the same background; some of us are coming from traditional churches; some are charismatic; some come from new churches that are opening up, and some are trying to find their voice to say we are followers of Christ in a context that doesn’t recognize us but we want to also be a part of our society,” added George Makeen.
Prayer Points
Would you please pause and pray for the following right now?
- For the continued growth of online audiences who want to learn more about Jesus
- For wisdom and clarity for all SAT-7 times who work together to increase digital presence