Qatar television transmits a large mix of programs in both Arabic in English. The Arabic language channel, ‘Qatar Satellite Station’, provides programs that cover local, regional and international affairs as well as comprehensive local news bulletins and international news. It can be received in other countries via Arabsat satellites. The English language channel, ‘Second Channel’, offers all English programs and can be received only within Qatar.

There are many other options available to the viewer in Qatar, who can use ‘Qatar Cablevision’ service. This service retransmits 60 of the most popular satellite TV channels. The choice of available channels took into consideration the different preferences of viewers of all ages. Some of the channels are, ‘Orbit’ group, ‘ART’ group, and most Arab satellite channels in addition English, French, Hindi and Urdu channels

Qatar Broadcasting Service (QBS) transmits on short wave, medium wave and FM in different languages and at various times.

Arabic language programs of QBS can be listened to on FM 90.8 MHz all day and until late at night. It covers a wide range of local, regional and international news and offers a variety of entertainment programs.

English Language programs of QBS can be listened to on FM 97.5 MHz from 6 in the morning to 1 after midnight. Its programs include detailed news bulletins, music and variety programs as well as cultural, economic and scientific programs from European and American radio stations.

QBS also has a French language program between 4 and 7 pm daily on FM 100.8. It has news and variety shows and discusses issues relevant to the life and activities of French expatriates in the Arabian Gulf area.

QBS also has programs in Urdu and some special local programs.

There are other Arabic language stations transmitting on the FM band and can be received very clearly throughout Qatar,

Middle East Broadcasting Corporation (MBC),            on FM 92.0 MHz

British Broadcasting Corporation,                             on FM 107.4 MHz

Radio Monte Carlo,                                                   on FM 93.4 MHz

The above three stations cover all major issues worldwide with special emphasis on the Arab World. They also offer many entertainment programs.

Qatar has five daily newspapers, three Arabic language and two English language ones. Newspapers can be bought from dawn to noon in all bookshops and major shops as well as on major junctions and roundabouts. Major Gulf and Arabic newspapers like ‘Al Hayat’ and ‘Al Quds Al Arabi’ and foreign ones like ‘The International Herald Tribune’ and ‘The Times’ can also be found. A large number of Arab and foreign magazines are available and can be bought from bookshops and street newspaper vendors. It is usual for local newspapers to run out by about noon while other papers and magazines can be bought at any time.

Locally published Arabic newspapers are; ‘Al Rayah’, the oldest Qatari paper, ‘Al Sharq’ and ‘Al Watan’.

While all three publish on the Internet, their electronic editions do not contain all pages. It is also usual for free supplements to be given only with the paper edition. The three papers cover all issues and news, local, regional and international. They are published throughout the year with no exception, including Fridays and public holidays.

The only two English language newspapers published in Qatar are; ‘Gulf Times’ and ‘The Peninsula’. The former is the first English language newspaper in Qatar and is published by the same publishers of the Arabic ‘Al Rayah’. ‘The Peninsula’ is relatively recent and is published by the same house that publishes the Arabic ‘Al Sharq’. The papers cover local and international issues are published daily with the exception of Fridays.

Magazines are few in Qatar. Worth mentioning is the English language ‘Marhaba’. It gives a wide range of information about the business and tourist aspects of life in Qatar. There are also women magazines and ‘Al Saqr’ sports magazine plus specialised newsletters issued by the major corporations. Major Arabic magazines as well as the major international ones like ‘The Economist’, ‘Time’ and ‘Newsweek’ are also found. Magazines can be bought in bookshops and major stores. Some are also sold until late at night at major traffic lights, junctions and roundabouts.