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by MEB Journal Staff
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With over 60 shows aired this past Ramadan, are there simply too many programs produced for the month?
With hundreds of programs and productions being broadcast on Arab channels during the Ramadan season, viewers are left pondering a seemingly limitless selection. MEB Journal spoke to journalists and TV critics for their reaction on this recurrent phenomenon.
Joseph Abou Nassar
Actor and An-Nahar film critic
There is a surplus of Ramadan programs. If each TV or satellite channel wants to air two to three musalsals or Ramadan programs, the result will be a very large number of such programs. I would rather have less Ramadan programs for the sake of better quality, because not all programs are important. You have a very large number of talk shows, entertainment, and parallel programs like culinary shows. I don’t want to be lost in every Ramadan season. Some works that are considered “good” are ruined when faced with productions that are excellent. I don’t want this to happen. Many times, I need to watch a particular program but I am unable because there is something better. There is too much “TV food” out there for the viewer to consume all of it. There is more than enough food for people to eat and digest.
Vicky Habib
Al-Hayat newspaper
Of course, there is a high number of Ramadan programs. Some people would watch a Ramadan musalsal because they like the actor/actress, regardless of the plot. By doing so, they might miss the chance of watching another musalsal that is better in quality and story. This is why some musalsals are aired after Ramadan and fair much better. Some musalsals that are aired during Ramadan do not take the proper credit, because viewers might already be watching a different Ramadan program from the past season. There is a limit to the number of programs viewers can watch. Actors also want their programs aired during Ramadan because it is a prime season for audiences. Because of the rush to meet the Ramadan season, some musalsals are produced in a very hasty manner, leading to a poor program.
Ehab el Jasser
Al-Yawm newspaper (Saudi Arabia)
There is a very large number of Ramadan programs, with the supply greater than the demand. The quality in filming and actors is less than the norm. Last year, the Gulf programs were different. Producers this year have gambled on new names in acting for a change, and these new names were not up to expectations. As a station, I ought to show different programs than the competition. Over the past five years, Ramadan programs were similar in nature, focusing on social issues. For this season, you have some new Gulf programs (Nimr bin Adwan and Ajlan) that have received a positive welcome from the audience. The problem is that the producer wants to air work during Ramadan on the most watched satellite channels. We expected that the large number of satellite channels would allow for a greater diversity of Ramadan programs to be aired, but these channels are airing similar programs. This creates a type of boredom with the audience. A lot of programs have not been aired also. This is because some viewers are waiting to watch a specific program like Tash Ma Tash, therefore they are less likely to watch other programs. It would be much better for TV channels to diversify their programs for Ramadan so as to offer a greater selection for viewers, not to have the same program on more than one channel.
 Ghassan El Habbal
Al-Bayan newspaper (UAE)
Last year, the situation and quality of Ramadan programs were better. A higher number of Ramadan programs provides a greater choice for the audience. However, viewers are confused by the sheer number of Ramadan programs. This makes the assessment more difficult, while affecting the quality of the work. At the same time, you cannot oppose this trend, and it is the public that will eventually decide. For my part, I choose quality over the quantity. Last year, the situation was better because the number was fewer and the quality was better. You had some musalsals that had a greater Arab participation than this year. I prefer musalsals that deal with core Arab issues such as social, political, and personal issues. The competition should be on the level of unifying effort to produce programs that can compete on an international level. We have never seen an Arab musalsal that was translated and reached international fame.
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Talking heads 
