So basically there were signal issues during the South Africa VS Mexico match on all Aljazeera Sports channels on Nilesat, both the free-to-air and the subscription based channels except the HD channel which is actually on on Atlantic Bird 4A.
So that is why I did not have any issues as I was watching the HD channel, but after the match I realized that people are angry and that Aljazeera Sports announced that viewers have to switch to either arabsat or noorsat.
So what really happened?
The word going around is that Aljazeera Sports Channels has ruined the deal the Egyptians had to show 22 matches from the 64 matches of the world cup, and it is said that it cost them $120 million, so when Aljazeera Sports Channel announced that they too will be showing those 22 matches on their free-to-air channels “they” decided to cause damage to Aljazeera channels on the nilesat.
Now thats what is being said, and it seems Aljazeera Sports Channel is on the safe side here and nile sat will end up having a big problem, cause Aljazeera which already had tensions with Egypt on both the news and the sports channels will most likely be going to the court with this.
Sphere: Related Content
June 11th, 2010
I wont be exaggerating at all if I say that the whole world will be watching carefully on the 4th of November 2008, wishing their favorite candidate win. The latest international polls have favored Barack Obama, and the USA polls gives him around a 12 to 13 points lead. But the race is not over, many factors play part here, McCain was down before and ended up winning the republican party nomination, then there is the Bradley Effect.
The Bradley Effect is where a white voter would say in polls he would vote to the African-American candidate but when voting in the voting booth he will end up voting for the other WHITE candidate, so basically racists being shy of their racism and lying to the pollsters. This happened in 1982 while electing California’s governor, Tom Bradley lost the elections although he was ahead in some polls. I do not believe that the Bradley effect happened or will happen to Obama, we already saw in the primaries how he hold close to the polls even in some places thought to be heavily racist, areas that has a very bad reputation with race discrimination.
So where will those who live in the Middle East watch the elections? Well, there is the free-to-air channels and the Subscription (PAY TV) channels.
Lets start with the PAY TV Channels:
ORBIT: The best network to watch all the action, all year long ORBIT is actually the best place to watch the American politics on their channel “ORBIT NEWS”, shows from MSNBC, NBC, ABC, PBS and BBC. In the last week of the elections since the 27 of October 2008 Orbit launched another news channel “ORBIT NEWS 2″. “ORBIT NEWS 3″ will be launched on the election day.
It has been announced that “ORBIT NEWS 1″ will feature:
- Brian Williams from NBC Nightly News
- Charles Gibson from ABC’s World News
- Jim Lehrer from News Hour on PBS
- Tom Brokaw from NBC’s Meet the Press
While “ORBIT NEWS 2″ will feature famous political commentators from MSNBC:
- Keith Olbermann (Countdown)
- Rachel Maddow (The Rachel Maddow Show)
- Chris Mathews (Hardball)
- David Gregory (Race to the White House)
ORBIT NEWS 3 will starts on the Elections day and it will air a live feed from ABC channel. It will precisely launch at 1:00 AM KSA time.
ART [Firstnet - Pehla]: Not a great choice, as ART only has FOX NEWS and SKY NEWS. FOX NEWS has the worst reputation as the most biased name in news, although ironically their slogan is “Fair & Balanced”. SKY NEWS is not bad but I doubt their coverage would be as good as CNN and MSNBC.
Showtime Arabia: Showtime is by far the worst choice, as they only provide only SKY NEWS, I am not sure though if Bloomberg & CNBC would show any coverage of the elections, if they do then you might follow it on those to FINANCIAL channels.
FREE-TO-AIR Channels:
CNN: The best source in my opinion, great panel of analysts and they have the resources to produce an astonishing full day coverage of the elections. Were very good in covering the primaries.
MBC4: If they do stick with the CBS schedule they will be one of the best channels to watch too, CBS coverage will be interesting to watch, that is if MBC4 cancels their regular schedule and stick with CBS as they have the rights to CBS News.
Aljazeera English: Really Really unbiased, am not being sarcastic this is for real, they are unbiased so much that I get bored watching it, they even cover the other candidates such as Ralph Nader and Bob Barr !! While the American mainstream media shoved them aside.
Other choices in English language: BBC World News, EuroNews, France 24, DW-TV, Russia Today, Press TV, NDTV Arabia
Other choices in Arabic language: Aljazeera Arabic, Al Arabiya, BBC Arabic, Future News, Al Aan TV, Al Ekhbariya, France 24, Rusiya Al-Yaum (Russia Today), Al Hiwar TV, Alhurra (The Free One), Nile News, NBN, ANN, CNBC Arabia (NOT SURE)
WATCH ONLINE:
It is expected that either all or some of the following channels will be streaming their election day coverage for free online: CNN, MSNBC, FOX NEWS, ABC, and CBS.
You can also watch The following channels in a very good quality via Livestation: Aljazeera English, BBC World News, BBC Arabic, Bloomberg, C-Span, DW-TV, EuroNews, France 24, ITN, Russia Today (English), Rusiya Al-Yaum (Russia Today), BBC World Service (Radio), DW-Radio.
Livestation also includes many user added channels, you can simply either search by name or check the channel list available.
Bottom Line:
We in the Middle East can’t vote, and the majority do not believe that the election is clean, seriously we all are set in thinking the US Elections is rigged, just like 2000. We do not believe that it is fair, especially that there is no equal coverage to other parties other than Democratic party and the Republican part. Most of us do not give a crap and most of us think it is just BS. But I am sure that most of people in the middle east, Arabs, Asians, Europeans, South American, Muslim and Christians will watch.
Some have watched the American elections since last year as if they are watching a reality TV show, a bit longer than American Idol I guess, and some watched it seriously following each and every article written about it. Some believe that it effects all of the world and some believe it will only affect Americans. I believe the whole world have hated the past 8 years, they hated Bush’s foreign policy and domestic policy, in the end all will watch and will wait to know who is the next president for USA hoping change come to Washington and we start seeing some difference in the way things work. Some might laugh and call it naivete, and some will call it hope.
Sphere: Related Content
October 30th, 2008
This was the final of Euro 2008, which has been a fantastic tournament. Everyone was hoping for a thrilling game, with Germany the favorites to win the tournament. Spain had won all their previous games prior to this final, beating Italy in the quarter finals and Russia in the semi finals, so came in to this game on top form. Germany, however, had been struggling a bit in the previous game against Turkey, who they beat with a last minute goal in the semi finals.
Germany soon took control of the game, playing intelligent football and putting together a couple of good opportunities, but around half way through the first half, the game became more open, and slowly Spain began to take control. It was not long after this that Torres jumped higher than the German defenders to head the ball on to the post, with Lehmann well and truly beaten.
It was the thirty third minute when the first goal came, with Xavi playing a superb ball through the German defenders, and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres latched on to the ball, pushing through the defenders and chipping the ball over Jens Lehmann and in to the empty German net. After that Spain really took control of the game, playing fast and fluent football, with Germany struggling to gain possession, and when they did, the Spaniards just got the ball straight back, and the teams went in to half time with Spain looking well on top.
In the second half the story was much the same as in the first. Germany started the half well, running rings around the Spaniards for around twenty minutes, and had plenty of opportunities to draw level, but slowly Spain started to take control, and suddenly they looked the more likely team to score, playing the ball around the Germans and after around seventy five minute the Germans seemed to give up, roaming around the pitch with no urgency, and Spain probably should have scored at least two more goals, but the final whistle blew with the Spanish leading by one goal.
The result means that Spain are the European Champions for the first time in forty four years, and they truly deserved the title. On the night they were the better team, with Germany never really looking like much of a threat after twenty minutes had been played, and Spain capitalized on this. A very good game, and congratulations Spain!
Final Score:
Germany 0 – 1 Spain
Watch the GOAL:
Spain went in to this game favorites after progressing impressively from their group stage, and already beating Russia by four goals to one. The Russians, however, had impressed every one in their last three games, including two wins in their group stage, and beating favorites Holland in the quarter final.
Spain started off well, playing some good attacking football and Liverpool striker Fernando Torres looked a real threat, but so did Russian striker Pavlyuchenko, who has had a brilliant tournament, and was taking on three players on his own at times!
Russia stopped Spain from scoring with a five man defense, and were playing counter attacking football, which meant that the Russian forwards were very isolated because no one could keep up with the pace of their counter attacks, and, rather ironically, this included their own players!
The teams went in for their half time break with neither team really dominating, and there were few chances worth talking about. But Spain will be concerned with an injury David Villa picked up while taking a free kick, as this may put him out of Sunday’s final, should Spain get through.
In the second half, Spain tore Russia apart, scoring the first goal on the fiftieth minute after a quick break, and Xabi converted the phase of play in to a goal. Then, with seventeen minutes remaining, Spain doubled their lead through Daniel Guiza, after a simply amazing pass from Arsenal play maker Cesc Fabregas, and Russia looked unlikely to find a way back after that.
Spain’s victory was confirmed when David Silva scored with eight minutes remaining, again after a fabulous pass from Fabregas, meaning that Silva’s finish was simple.
Overall, a pretty uneventful first half, but in the second half Spain gained control of the game and Russia simply couldn’t handle them. Cesc Fabregas played brilliantly, and he has helped his Spanish side through to Sunday’s final, in which they will play against Germany.
Final Score:
Russia 0 – 3 Spain
Watch the three GOALS:
Sphere: Related Content
June 27th, 2008
Russia OUT of Euro 2008
Spain to the FINAL
Spain 3-0 Russia
Sphere: Related Content
June 27th, 2008
Ok, so before you call me crazy and mad, even if they are saying the truth couldn’t they link with another channel which was showing the match? Ok maybe not, but do not blame me for thinking they are lying because when I see that the match is working with no problems on other channels and they are not showing it I will have to assume they are just giving excuses. Anyway, just hope these rains and thunders do not show up tomorrow and leave us hanging in the middle of the match.
Sphere: Related Content
June 26th, 2008
Germany were the clear favorites for this game, and the fact that Turkey had nine players out through suspensions and injuries just boosted the Germans’ confidence. Germany got through by coming second in their group and beating Portugal convincingly in the quarter final, with Turkey crowned as comeback kings after winning their last two games in the final minutes of the match.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Turkey dominated the first twenty minutes, with lots of shots and crosses, and the German defense looked shaky, especially goal keeper Jens Lehmann who is usually very impressive.
Turkey got their just rewards when on the twenty second minute Ugur Boral scrambled the ball over the line after a Turkish shot had looped over Lehmann and hit the cross bar. It didn’t take long for the Germans to get back in the game though, a rapid counter attack found it’s way to Podolski who played a brilliant ball in to the box for Schweinsteiger to equalize just four minutes after the Turks’ goal.
The first half continued in the same way, with Turkey dominating, and they should have gone in to the changing rooms at half time leading by at least two or three goals, but German luck had kept them in the game.
In the second half, the game wasn’t quite as exciting, but on the seventy ninth minute, Germany looked like they had won it when a goal keeping error from Rustu allowed Klose to head Germany in to the lead. But, it didn’t really surprise anyone when Turkey scored on the eighty sixth minute to come back in the last five minutes for the third time in three games.
There was nothing the Turks could do to stop Phillip Lahm’s final minute effort though. A brilliant German move and a dinky one two in the box meant that the German left back could smash the ball in to the roof of the net for the Germans.
Overall, a very exciting game, and tournament over achievers Turkey are out, with Germany making it through to the final where they will play either Spain or Russia, depending on tomorrow’s result.
Final Score:
Germany 3 – 2 Turkey
Watch the five GOALS:
Sphere: Related Content
June 26th, 2008
I was watching the Germany vs Turkey match and on the second half Aljazeera Sports Channel kept cutting off the match and showing people in the stadium and people in Germany watching the match on a big screen, and every time they cut back the match the commentator apologizing saying that it is a problem from the source, and that they have no control in this. From the SOURCE!!??!?!?! Does Aljazeera really thinks we are that stupid ?! A number of European channels showed the match in full and without interruptions. Some even watched in full over the Internet.
I do not want to go in detail, but the thing that made me mad is the lying more than the cutting, why do they need to lie. We missed 3 goals, the match ended 3-2 for Germany, the only goals we were able to watch were the first two goals from both sides.
Aljazeera is still saying that the reason for the interruptions are the rains and thunders in Vienna 
And they are promising to show the match in full later tonight. How lucky we are to have you Aljazeera Sports Channel you are so special, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for this AMAZING coverage for a freakin SEMI FINAL.
UPDATE: Ok Ok So Maybe Aljazeera Sports Channel was not Lying (Video)
Sphere: Related Content
June 26th, 2008
This was the final quarter final of the tournament, and Spain went in strong favorites after winning all three of their group games and playing some extremely good football. The current World Cup holders Italy went in to this game after beating France and Romania, but suffering a disappointing defeat to the Dutch, in which they lost by three goals.
In the first few minutes, Spain created some good opportunities, and this was evident in the stats, which said they had nearly three times as many shots as the Italians in the first ninety minutes. Italy’s best chance of the regular ninety minutes fell to substitute Camoranesi, who’s close range volley was dealt with excellently by Iker Casillas, but overall, in the initial ninety minutes, it was Spain who were the better side, and they really should have finished the game off quite quickly, but instead the game went to extra time for the third time in three days.
In the first period of extra time, the game was pretty up in the air, with both teams having good opportunities, but neither of the players showed the drive to score, and it looked highly probable the game was going to penalties. And it turned out this was going to be the case, after another period of extra time was played, neither team had scored.
In the penalty shoot out, Iker Casillas saved two of the Italian’s penalties, but the Spanish kept their nerve, and four out of five spot kick takers scored against Buffon, meaning they go through.
Not a very good game at all, both teams lacked desire and forward momentum. They looked tired the whole way through the game, and it came down to penalties for an outcome. Tonight’s result means that the semi finals are Germany v Turkey and Russia v Spain.
Final Score:
Spain 0 – 0 Italy
(Italy win 4-2 on penalties)
Watch the Penalties:
Sphere: Related Content
June 24th, 2008
Previous Posts
