National Media Authority
Egyptian state and public broadcaster operating national radio, television, satellite channels and media-production assets.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
The National Media Authority (NMA) is Egypt’s state and public broadcasting organization. It operates a large national media system covering terrestrial radio, television, satellite broadcasting, production facilities and related media companies. The authority is the institutional successor to Egypt’s earlier state broadcasting structures, including Egyptian State Broadcasting and the Egyptian Radio and Television Union (ERTU). Its role combines the operation of public media services with the administration of a broad portfolio of broadcast networks, specialized channels, regional stations and production-related assets. The organization’s historical roots reach back to the launch of Egyptian Radio on 31 May 1934. The first service was established under an agreement with the Marconi Company and became associated with the call sign “This is Cairo.” In December 1947, the arrangement with Marconi was suspended in favor of an Egyptian national broadcasting operation. Radio subsequently expanded through services such as Voice of the Arabs, the Second Programme and Middle East Radio, giving Egypt a major broadcasting presence across the Middle East and parts of Africa. Egyptian television began regular broadcasting on 21 July 1960. The initial state television service operated for six hours a day and held a monopoly over terrestrial broadcasting. Institutional restructuring followed in 1971, when a decree created the Arab Radio and Television Union and organized broadcasting into separate radio, television, engineering and finance sectors. The organization was later renamed the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, a name that remained associated with Egypt’s national broadcaster before the creation of the National Media Authority. The NMA’s portfolio includes general-interest and specialized radio services, national television channels, regional television networks, international services and satellite channels. Its radio operations encompass general programming, pan-Arab broadcasting, cultural programming, youth and sports, religious broadcasting, education, music, news and regional services. Its television operations include national channels, diaspora-oriented programming, regional channels and specialist networks covering news, culture, drama, cinema, education, family programming, sports and entertainment. The authority also operates directly or through affiliated organizations connected with television and film production, satellite services and radio networks. Associated entities identified in descriptions of the Egyptian state media system include Egyptian Media Production City, Sono Cairo, Egyptian Satellites Company (Nilesat) and Nile Radio Network. These relationships give the NMA reach beyond the transmission of programs into production, distribution and supporting media infrastructure. Internationally, the organization has been connected with both the European Broadcasting Union and the Arab States Broadcasting Union. Its predecessor was among the founding members of the European Broadcasting Union in 1950, later withdrawing active membership in 1958 and returning as an active member on 1 January 1985. The NMA remains an important instrument of Egyptian public communication, cultural programming and state broadcasting, although its exact legal and administrative structure has changed over time.
History
Egyptian broadcasting developed from the establishment of Egyptian Radio on 31 May 1934. The first station was created through an agreement with the Marconi Company, with Said Basha Lotfi serving as general manager from May 1934 until December 1947. The service became widely identified with the announcement “This is Cairo” and later formed the basis of the Egyptian Radio network. In December 1947, the Marconi agreement was suspended and broadcasting was placed under an Egyptian national structure. Radio services expanded during the following decades. Voice of the Arabs began in 1953 as a pan-Arab service, the Second Programme was introduced in 1957, and Middle East Radio followed in 1964. The high-powered medium-wave transmitters used by these services allowed Egyptian programming to reach much of the Middle East and areas of North and East Africa. Television began broadcasting in Egypt on 21 July 1960. The initial service transmitted six hours per day and operated as a state-controlled terrestrial network. Channel 1 began as a general and informative service, while Channel 2, introduced in 1961, focused more heavily on fiction, entertainment and current affairs. Further expansion created regional services, international programming and specialist satellite channels. A major institutional reorganization took place in 1971. A decree created the Arab Radio and Television Union and divided the broadcasting system into four sectors: radio, television, engineering and finance. Each sector was headed by a chairman reporting to the minister of information. The body was subsequently renamed the Egyptian Radio and Television Union, or ERTU. Under the wider state media system, broadcasting expanded to include national channels, governorate-based regional channels, international services and specialized networks. Egypt also developed a significant international broadcasting presence. Its predecessor was a founding member of the European Broadcasting Union in 1950. Following the admission of the Israel Broadcasting Service to the organization in 1958, Egyptian and Syrian broadcasting bodies cancelled their active memberships. Egypt was readmitted as an active member on 1 January 1985. The organization is also associated with the Arab States Broadcasting Union. Satellite distribution enabled further diversification. Services such as Nile News, Nile Culture, Nile Comedy, Nile Drama, Nile Cinema, Nile Educational, Nile Family, Nile Sports and Nile Life were developed within the Egyptian state television system. The system also included Al Masriya, a channel directed toward Egyptians living abroad, and Radio Cairo International, which offered multilingual and international programming. The National Media Authority represents the later institutional form of this state broadcasting tradition. It operates a broad portfolio of radio and television services and works with or through affiliated media and production organizations. Its activities extend beyond programming to television and film production, satellite-related operations and radio-network management. The authority therefore functions not simply as an individual channel brand but as a national broadcasting institution and umbrella for numerous Egyptian public media services.
- 2009
Radio Masr launches
[1]Radio Masr was established as an Egyptian radio service.
- 2008
Nile Cinema begins broadcasting
[1]Nile Cinema was launched as a specialist channel focused on classic and older films.
- 2000
Songs Radio is established
[1]Songs Radio was added to the specialized radio portfolio.
- 1985
Return to active EBU membership
[1]Egypt’s broadcasting organization was readmitted as an active member of the European Broadcasting Union on 1 January.
- 1971
Broadcasting union and sector structure established
[1]A decree created the Arab Radio and Television Union and organized the system into radio, television, engineering and finance sectors.
- 1960
Egyptian television begins
[1]State television began regular broadcasting on 21 July, initially transmitting six hours per day.
- 1953
Voice of the Arabs launches
[1]The pan-Arab Voice of the Arabs radio service was established, extending Egypt’s regional broadcasting role.
- 1950
Predecessor joins the founding European broadcasting community
[1]Egypt’s predecessor broadcasting organization was among the founding members of the European Broadcasting Union.
- 1947
Broadcasting becomes nationally administered
[1]The agreement with Marconi was suspended in December, with broadcasting continuing under an Egyptian national broadcasting structure.
- 1934
Egyptian Radio begins broadcasting
[1]Egyptian Radio began broadcasting on 31 May under an agreement with the Marconi Company. The service later became associated with the call sign “This is Cairo” and the First Programme.
Products and positioning
Egypt’s national public-service and state broadcasting institution, combining domestic radio and television operations with regional, international, satellite and media-production activities.
National radio · 1934
Egyptian Radio / General Programme Radio
The main Egyptian radio service, originating with the 1934 launch of Egyptian Radio. It carries general programming and is commonly associated with the historic “This is Cairo” identification and the First Programme.
Pan-Arab radio · 1953
Voice of the Arabs
A pan-Arab radio service established in 1953. It reflects Egypt’s long-standing use of radio to reach audiences across the Arabic-speaking region.
Pan-Arab radio · 1964
Middle East Radio
A pan-Arab service introduced in 1964 as part of the expansion of Egypt’s high-powered radio network.
National television · 1960
Channel 1
A general-interest and informative television service that began with Egyptian television in 1960. It forms part of the country’s core national terrestrial broadcasting offering.
National television · 1961
Channel 2
A national television channel launched in 1961 with emphasis on fiction, entertainment and current-affairs programming.
International television · 1990
Al Masriya
A television service aimed at Egyptians living outside the country. It extends the national broadcaster’s programming relationship with the Egyptian diaspora.
Satellite television
Nile Television Network
An umbrella of specialist satellite channels associated with the Egyptian state broadcasting system. Its portfolio has included news, culture, comedy, drama, cinema, education, family, sports and entertainment services.
International radio
Radio Cairo International
The international radio operation, including World Service channels in multiple languages and distribution through shortwave and satellite platforms.
Regional television
Regional television channels
A group of governorate-focused channels covering Greater Cairo, the Suez Canal region, Alexandria and the Delta, Northern Upper Egypt and Southern Upper Egypt. The services provide regionally targeted news and programming.
Music radio · 2000
Songs Radio
A specialist radio service focused on songs and music programming within the national radio portfolio.
Sources1 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/national-media-authority · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled