OSN News

OSN News (formerly known as Orbit News) is a 24 hour satellite and cable channel offering exclusively American news programming from ABC, NBC, PBS, and MSNBC to U.S. expats and other viewers abroad, primarily geared towards an audience in the Arab countries. The network is available on digital satellite and cable in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, however, cable operators in Europe are currently unable to carry the channel due to unsolved rights issues. This despite the fact that operators in many European countries, especially the Scandinavian, have expressed in interest in carrying the channel.

Background

OSN News offers live coverage from major U.S. news networks such as ABC, NBC, PBS, MSNBC, Fox News & CBS. Morning shows such as NBC's Today are followed by news magazine programs, documentaries, and financial shows. Furthermore, MSNBC and Fox News are offered for more up-to-the-minute world, business, technology and entertainment news and weather.

OSN News is broadcast by Orbit Showtime Network, the leading Pay-TV companies in the Middle-East and North Africa. Orbit Showtime Network's headquarters are located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. In 2009 two new channels were lunched, Orbit News 2 and Orbit News 3, offering extended coverage of American News from MSNBC and ABC. These two services were taken off air during the fall 2010 at the same time the main channel changed names from Orbit News to OSN News.

In 2005 OSN News stopped carrying CBS News programming. Removed from the schedule was "60 Minutes," "Up to the Minute," "Early Show Live," "48 Hours," "CBS Evening News" and "Face the Nation," with no prior notice to subscribers as to what had happened. FOX News was now on the docket, a network that had never previously been part of the programming package - and viewers were upset, voicing their displeasure on internet message boards.

While no public statement has yet to be made about this change, a spokesperson from Orbit responded to a request for information in this matter. Based on the company's statement, it appears that there is a contractual issue between Orbit and CBS. Orbit spokesperson, Alia Shaikho, informed that "Fox News Live programming has been added to our ongoing news programs on a temporary basis and mainly airs at off-peak hours."

The network is available on digital satellite and cable in Europe, Middle East and North Africa, however, cable operators in Europe are currently unable to carry the channel due to unsolved rights issues. This despite the fact that operators in many European countries, especially the Scandinavian, have expressed in interest in carrying the channel.