The Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC) launched in 1991 from London, marking the first independent Arabic satellite television station. Founded by Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim and Saleh Kamel, the network eventually expanded to include channels such as MBC 2, MBC 3, and MBC 4, fundamentally altering the media landscape throughout the Arab world.
Early Media Ventures
Following his higher education in Oregon during the 1980s, Al Ibrahim established ARA Productions and Television Studios, known as ARAvision, in Saudi Arabia. Registered in Riyadh in 1995, this conglomerate served as the parent structure for his broader broadcasting ambitions. The venture secured an exclusive license to deliver wireless cable services to major Saudi cities, allowing for the pre-broadcast screening of satellite content.
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The company bolstered its news-gathering capabilities in 1992 by acquiring the bankrupt United Press International for $3.95 million. Al Ibrahim served as chairman of the UPI board until early 1999. In February 2003, he launched Al Arabiya, intended as a professional, objective alternative to existing regional competitors. While Al Ibrahim maintained a high public profile as the MBC owner, reports indicated that half of the organization's profits belonged to Prince Abdulaziz bin Fahd, who also managed the ideological direction of the channels.
Detention and Restructuring
On 4 November 2017, authorities detained Al Ibrahim at the Ritz-Carlton in Riyadh as part of a government anti-corruption investigation. He was released 83 days later after being cleared of any wrongdoing. By 2018, the Saudi government acquired a 60 percent stake in MBC Group. Al Ibrahim remained as chairman, subsequently announcing a strategic shift toward new markets and increased focus on the Kingdom's domestic sector.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Saudi Arabia
- Founder: Middle East Broadcasting Center (MBC)
- Education: Oregon, USA
- Order of Independence: 2016
- Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud: 2021
- First Media Enterprise: ARAvision
Questions readers ask
What was the initial goal of Al Arabiya?
The channel was established to provide an alternative to Al Jazeera with a focus on professional, objective reporting.
Did Al Ibrahim maintain ownership of MBC after 2018?
Yes, he retained a 40 percent stake in the company after the Saudi government acquired a 60 percent interest.
Achievements
- Order of Independence — 2016
- Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud — 2021