MTV (Lebanon)

Not to be confused with MTV.

MTV Lebanon

Logo used since 2009
Country	Lebanon
Broadcast area	Lebanon Arab World European Union Australia United States Canada
Affiliates	One TV Lebanon
Headquarters	Naccache, Lebanon
Programming
Language(s)	Arabic Lebanese Arabic
Picture format	PAL HDTV 1080i
Ownership
Owner	Metn Bloc
Key people	Michel Murr (founder & CEO) Walid Abboud (Editor-In-Chief)
History
Launched	7 November 1991 (original); 7 April 2009 (relaunch)
Closed	2002–2009
Links
Website	www.mtv.com.lb
Availability
Streaming media
MTV Live	Free (inside Lebanon) / Paid (outside Lebanon)
Cablevision+ (IPTV in Lebanon)	Channel 2 - General

Murr Television, marketed and known as MTV Lebanon, is a Lebanese television station based in Naccache, Metn District. It was founded in 1991 by businessman Gabriel Murr (brother of Lebanese politician Michel Murr) as an independent channel emphasizing local programming while also broadcasting Arab and Western content. ^[1] From its early stages, MTV states that it sought to represent the "complexity and richness" of Lebanese viewers’ identities, placing special focus on local programming while acquiring foreign formats under a self-regulatory code of ethics.

History

Michel Gabriel El Murr, CEO, son of Gabriel Murr

Early Stages (1991–1994)

MTV began broadcasting in 1991, aiming to deliver a balanced mix of local, Arab, and Western content. At a time when Lebanon's media sector was largely unregulated, the channel adopted internal ethical guidelines, including legally acquiring the rights to foreign shows.

Embarking on the Political Scene (1994–2002)

In November 1994, MTV launched local news broadcasts and socio-political programs that addressed topics such as corruption and government accountability. The channel states that it aimed to speak for a "suffocated public opinion" through its coverage of political and economic challenges.

Shutdown (2002–2005)

In 2002, the station was shut down for allegedly violating the 1999 electoral law. ^[1] Some observers considered the closure to be politically motivated, given MTV’s criticism of the Lebanese government and Syria. ^[2] On 16 August 2005, the Lebanese Parliament unanimously amended the law that had led to MTV’s closure, restoring the station’s broadcasting rights.

MTV Today (2009–present)

MTV remained off the air until 7 April 2009, shortly before the 2009 parliamentary elections. ^[1] Following its relaunch, the channel reaffirmed its focus on local programming and continuous innovation.

Mission, vision, and values

MTV describes its mission as promoting independent thought in Lebanese and regional media, serving the public interest, and encouraging social responsibility and ethical conduct. The station highlights:

• Vision: To act as a leading independent media station in Lebanon and the Arab world, endorsing social well-being, reform, and freedom of expression.
• Mission: To deliver balanced, bias-free programming, further the role of media in fostering independent thinking, and remain transparent and responsible to viewers and shareholders.
• Core Values:
  • Credibility & Independence, Ethical Conduct, Public Interest & Social Responsibility, Transparency & Accountability, Liberties & Inclusion.

Production

All MTV productions are done in partnership with Studiovision, a regional production company operating studios in Lebanon and Dubai. ^[3]

Website and mobile application

Access to premium content on MTV’s website and mobile apps is free within Lebanon. Users outside Lebanon generally require a paid subscription. ^[4]

Ownership

According to the Lebanese Ministry of Justice’s Commercial Register, MTV SAL is co-owned by Gabriel El Murr's four children (Michel, Jyad, Carl, and Carole) and Joseph Sarkis. The register does not detail the specific distribution of shares. ^[5]

TV programs

This table is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

Program	Genre	Year	Based on	Main Cast
Dancing with the Stars (MENA) [6] [7]	Celebrity Dance Show		Dancing with the Stars
The Voice Kids (MENA) [8] [9]	Singing Competition	2016	The Voice Kids	Nancy Ajram, Kadim Al Sahir, Tamer Hosny
Celebrity Duets Arab World (ديو المشاهير) – Season 4 [10] [11]	Celebrity Singing Show	2015–?	Celebrity Duets
Yalla Nerkos! [12]	Talent Show		So You Think You Can Dance
Hayda Haki (هيدا حكي) [13]	Comedy-oriented Talk and Variety Show		N/A	Adel Karam
Mafi Metlo [14]	Sketch Comedy Show	2011–2017	N/A	Adel Karam, Abbas Chahine, Naim Halawi, Roula Chamieh, Anjo Rihane
Menna w Jerr [15] [16]	Talk Show and Game Show		Touche pas à mon poste !	Pierre Rabbat
Hadis Al Balad (حديث البلد) [17]	Talk Show and Entertainment News		Talk of the Town	Mona Abou Hamze
Deal or No Deal [18]	Game Show	2009–2010	Deal or No Deal
Heik Min Ghanni [19]	Music Quiz Show		The Lyrics Board
The Doctors [20]	Health Talk Show		The Doctors
Tahkik [21]	Investigative Journalism
Al Hal Enna [22]	Social Reality Show
Meen Byaaref	Celebrity quiz show
Ktir Salbeh	Sketch Comedy Show	2010–2012	N/A
Kel Mayle 3ayle[ citation needed ]	Game show		Family Feud
Lamin el Malayin[ citation needed ]	Game Show		Chance of a Lifetime
Khalik Maana (خليك معنا)[ citation needed ]	Game show		Everybody's Equal
Dr. Hala [23]
Laylé Jnoun (الليلة جنون) [24]	Game show		Vendredi tout est permis	Mario Bassil

References

1. "MTV". Media Ownership Monitor Lebanon. Retrieved 10 January 2022.
2. "Lebanon - Media Landscape" (PDF). lebanon.mom-rsf.org. p. 17. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
3. "Production - MTV Lebanon". mtv.com.lb. Retrieved 23 April 2023.
4. "MTV Lebanon – Programs VOD Replay". Mtv.com.lb. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
5. "MTV". lebanon.mom-gmr.org. Retrieved 3 April 2024.
6. "MTV Lebanon - Dancing with the Stars". Archived from the original on 13 October 2012. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
7. "Ex-Miss USA Rima Fakih to compete on 'Dancing with the Stars'". English.alarabiya.net. 2 March 2015.
8. "The Voice Kids On MTV Replay". Mtv.com.lb. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
9. "Lebanese singer lifts country's spirits with Voice Kids win". Dailystar.com.lb. Retrieved 1 July 2016.
10. "Program - ديو المشاهير - Season 3 - Episodes - MTV Lebanon". Mtv.com.lb.
11. "Lebanese Toni Issa wins Celebrity Duets". Nna-leb.gov.lb. Archived from the original on 22 March 2016. Retrieved 18 August 2016.
12. "MTV Lebanon - So You Think You Can Dance". Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2016.
13. "هيدا حكي". Mtv.com.lb.
14. "MTV Lebanon - Mafi Metlo". Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
15. "منا وجر". Mtv.com.lb.
16. "" Touche pas à mon poste " va prochainement s'exporter... au Liban !". Lorientlejour.com. 14 February 2015.
17. "حديث البلد". Mtv.com.lb.
18. "MTV Lebanon - Deal or No Deal". Archived from the original on 20 August 2016. Retrieved 19 August 2016.
19. "هيك منغنّي". Mtv.com.lb.
20. "The Doctors". Mtv.com.lb.
21. "تحقيق". Mtv.com.lb.
22. "MTV Lebanon - al Hal Enna". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 29 November 2017.
23. "MTV Lebanon - Dr. Hala". Archived from the original on 27 August 2016. Retrieved 25 August 2016.
24. "الليلة جنون". Mtv.com.lb.

External links

• Official website (in English and Arabic)