Quick answer
Arabic news is easy to watch for free online, since Al Jazeera Arabic, Al Arabiya and Sky News Arabia all stream live, and MBC's Shahid app streams many series and Ramadan shows on demand. Channels from home, like Egyptian, Lebanese, Iraqi or Moroccan networks, are rarely on US cable, and Arabic football coverage is spread across services. An IPTV service like TarakTV lists Arabic channels people commonly look for from the Gulf, the Levant, Egypt and North Africa in one app with US channels, from 15 dollars a month or 130 dollars a year, with a free 24-hour trial.
- The 2020 Census counted about 3.5 million people of Middle Eastern or North African (MENA) descent.
- Pew Research Center estimates 3.1 million by ancestry in 2024, or up to 5.2 million counting birthplace, language and family ties.
- About 1.48 million people in the US speak Arabic at home (ACS 2024).
- The largest MENA groups are Lebanese, Iranian and Egyptian; California, Michigan and New York have the biggest populations.
- Cairo and Beirut are about 7 hours ahead of New York; the Gulf is 8 to 9 hours ahead.
Arab and MENA communities in the US
The 2020 Census was the first to count Middle Eastern and North African responses in detail, and it found about 3.5 million people of MENA descent. Lebanese (about 686,000) and Iranian (about 569,000) were the largest groups, followed by Egyptian, with Syrian and Moroccan groups each over 100,000.
Pew Research Center's 2024 analysis puts the MENA population at 3.1 million by ancestry alone, and up to 5.2 million when birthplace, language and family relationships are included. The American Community Survey counts about 1.48 million people speaking Arabic at home.
California has the largest MENA population, about 740,000 in 2020, and Michigan and New York each have more than 300,000. The Detroit area, especially Dearborn, is one of the best-known Arab American communities. Note that Iranian Americans mostly speak Persian, and many MENA families speak Armenian, Turkish, Kurdish or Assyrian, so needs differ from home to home.
Free and official options
Many Arabic news channels stream for free, and several broadcasters run their own apps.
- Al Jazeera Arabic, Al Arabiya and Sky News Arabia: live streams on their websites and YouTube.
- Shahid: MBC Group's streaming app, with Arabic series, films and Ramadan series; it has free and paid tiers.
- Broadcaster YouTube channels from Egypt, Lebanon, the Gulf and North Africa post shows and clips.
- beIN Sports in the US carries some international football, while Arabic-language beIN channels are a separate service.
What TarakTV offers Arabic-speaking families
TarakTV is an IPTV subscription with live channels, a program guide and catch-up on supported channels. Arabic channels people commonly look for include MBC channels, Rotana channels, Lebanese channels such as LBCI, MTV Lebanon and Al Jadeed, Egyptian channels, Gulf channels, Iraqi, Syrian and Jordanian channels, North African channels from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, news channels, kids channels, Quran and religious channels, and Arabic sports channels.
Having these in one app with US local channels is useful in mixed households, where children watch in English and parents follow news and series from home.
TarakTV does not hold licences from these broadcasters and is not their partner. Line-ups can change, and we do not promise a particular channel or match. Use the free 24-hour trial to check the channels from your country first.
Ramadan, time zones and catch-up
Ramadan is the biggest TV season of the year in the Arab world, with new series every night. Those series are timed for iftar and the evening in the Middle East, which is morning or early afternoon in the US.
Cairo and Beirut are about 7 hours ahead of New York. Riyadh is 7 to 8 hours ahead, Dubai 8 to 9 hours, and Casablanca 5 to 6 hours, depending on the season. Add 3 hours for the West Coast.
Catch-up on supported channels lets you go back in the guide and start an episode from the beginning when the family sits down after iftar in the US. The guide follows your device's time zone, so set the clock on your TV or stick correctly.
Football in Arabic
Many families want football with Arabic commentary: the Saudi Pro League, the Egyptian Premier League, the Botola in Morocco, AFC and CAF competitions, and European leagues. Arabic sports channels are commonly included in IPTV guides, but rights change each season.
For the official US home of the Premier League, Champions League and other European leagues, see our soccer guide.
Devices and internet
TarakTV works on Fire TV Sticks, Android-based Smart TVs, phones and tablets through the Cast4K player app, and on TVIP and Yoka TV boxes. We ship boxes to the US and Canada. A box is easiest for grandparents who want the TV to start straight into live channels.
Plan on about 15 Mbps per TV for HD and about 25 Mbps for 4K. Use a wired Ethernet connection for live football and big events.
- Make a favourites list for news, series and Quran channels.
- Use catch-up for Ramadan series that air in the US morning.
- Contact WhatsApp support with the channel name if a channel stops.
- Plans: 1 month 15 dollars, 1 year 130 dollars, 3 years 220 dollars, 5 years 300 dollars.
Channels people look for
Line-ups change; ask for the current list or check during your free trial.
| Channel | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Al Jazeera Arabic | News | Also streams free online |
| Al Arabiya and Sky News Arabia | News | Also stream free online |
| MBC 1, MBC Drama and MBC Masr | General entertainment | Series, shows and Ramadan series |
| Rotana channels | Films, music and series | Arabic films and music |
| LBCI, MTV Lebanon and Al Jadeed | Lebanese channels | News, talk and entertainment |
| Egyptian channels such as CBC and ON | Egyptian general channels | Series, talk shows and news |
| 2M and Al Aoula | Moroccan channels | News and entertainment |
| Arabic sports channels | Sports | Football with Arabic commentary |
Frequently asked questions
How can I watch Arabic TV in the USA?
Al Jazeera Arabic, Al Arabiya and Sky News Arabia stream free online, and Shahid streams MBC series. For channels from your home country in one app, IPTV services like TarakTV list them; try the free 24-hour trial.
How many Arab Americans are there?
The 2020 Census counted about 3.5 million people of MENA descent, and Pew Research Center estimates 3.1 million to 5.2 million in 2024 depending on how people are counted.
Can I watch MBC channels in America?
MBC content streams on the Shahid app, and IPTV guides commonly include MBC live channels. Check the TarakTV guide during the trial.
How do I watch Ramadan series in the US time zone?
Ramadan series air in the Middle East evening, which is morning or midday in the US. Use catch-up on supported channels to start episodes later, or Shahid for on-demand viewing.
Can I watch Egyptian or Moroccan football in Arabic?
Arabic sports channels are commonly included in IPTV guides, but rights change each season. Check during the free trial.
What device is easiest for older relatives?
A TVIP or Yoka TV box, which starts straight into live TV. TarakTV ships them to the US and Canada.
Sources
TarakTV is an independent reseller and is not affiliated with the channels, leagues or broadcasters named on this page. Names are used only to describe what viewers look for. Check the rules where you live.