.png) Logo used since 2012 | |
| Type | Terrestrialtelevision network |
|---|---|
| Country | Lebanon |
| Headquarters | Adma, Lebanon |
| Ownership | |
| Owner | SeeOwnership |
| Key people | Pierre El Daher (chairman & CEO) |
| History | |
| Launched | 23 August 1985; 39 years ago (1985-08-23) (television network) |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Availability | |
| Terrestrial | |
| Cablevision (Lebanon) | Back to Basic package - General (Pay television) |
| Streaming media | |
| Cablevision+ (IPTV in Lebanon) | Channel 1 - General |
TheLebanese Broadcasting Corporation International (Arabic:المؤسسة اللبنانية للإرسال انترناسيونال,romanized: Al-Muasasat Al-Lubnaniat lil-'irsal Intirnasyunal), widely known asLBCI (Arabic:إل بي سي آي,romanized: Al Bi Si Aī),Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation (Arabic:المؤسسة اللبنانية للإرسال,romanized: Al-Muasasat Al-Lubnaniat lil-'irsal) orLBC (Arabic:إل بي سي,romanized: Al Bi Si) is a private television station inLebanon. LBCI was founded in 1992 by acquiring the assets, liabilities and logo of LBC, an entity founded in 1985 during theLebanese Civil War by theLebanese Forces militia.[1]
LBCI went global in 1996 when it launched its satellite channel LBCAl-Fadha'iya Al-Lubnaniya (Arabic:الفضائية اللبنانية) covering Lebanon, the Arab world, Europe,America, Australia and Africa.
TheLebanese Forces, a Lebanese militia that had founded LBC in 1985,[1] was militarily and financially weakened by theLebanese civil war which ended in 1990 and its leaderSamir Geagea was imprisoned in 1994. In 1992,Pierre El Daher had founded LBCI along with other shareholders and registered it at the Commercial Register of Baabda.[citation needed] In April 1996, El Daher and other shareholders launched LBCsat, a free satellite channel. The new channel was a success, disseminated throughout the world, especially attracting the Lebanese diaspora.[citation needed]
In 2003, as a result of an agreement betweenSaleh Kamel, founder of LMH company (Lebanese Media Holding, owner of 49% of LBC SAT and Pac's shares) and Saudi princeAl Waleed bin Talal, the latter, through Kingdom, replaced Kamel in LMH.[2]
By the end of 2008, it was decided to increase the capital of LMH considerably. Accordingly, Al-Waleed Bin Talal became the largest shareholder after acquiring the absolute majority in PAC (a content provider for both LBCI and LBC SAT) and LBC SAT, based on an understanding that the capital increase would be invested to improve the programs’ network and upgrade productivity under the supervision of Sheikh Pierre Daher.[citation needed]
In 2010,Rupert Murdoch joined the group and PAC and LBC SAT were merged with Rotana. Rumor was that this merger would improve and develop the group. These expectations did not materialize.[3]
At the end of the year 2002, LBC SAT and the London-basedAl Hayat newspaper owned by Saudis, merged their news programs.[4] LBC SAT daily news bulletin was called the "Al Hayat-LBC SAT news bulletin". The cooperation ended in 2010.
According to the Media Ownership Monitor, an initiative byReporters Without Borders and theSamir Kassir Foundation, the majority owner of the station isPierre El Daher and his family who owns 50.6% share since 1992. beforePierre El Daher bought it, it was previously owned by theLebanese Forces. Other key shareholders include formerDeputy Prime MinisterIssam Fares and his son Najad, who own 10% each. Maroun Jazzar owns 4.4%, Investcom, which is owned by Prime Minister Najib Mikati's family, has a 4% share and Salah Osseiran also has a 4% share.[5]
In December 2019, LBCI announced that the LDC brand would be discontinued by the beginning of the year 2020 and that all programs will be broadcast via LBCI. The main reason behind the decision was that the LDC branding was no longer needed since the battle for the LBC brand and channels with Al Walid Bin Talal has been resolved and won by LBCI current owner, Pierre El Daher.[citation needed]
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LBCI has produced many shows including:Star Academy Arab World,Ya Katel Ya Maktoul (Arabic version ofGreed),Miss Lebanon,Hellha wo Ehtalha (Arabic version of French TV ShowFort Boyard),Survivor Middle East, andEl Wadi (Arabic version ofThe Farm).[citation needed] Its most famous talk show isKalam Ennas (Arabic:كلام الناس) hosted byMarcel Ghanem. The show, which originally aired onC33, moved to LBC after C33 was shut down in the mid-1990s.[citation needed]
| National |
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| Cable and satellite | ||
| Defunct | ||
