Lebanese TV Channels to See Shy Viewership During Ramadan

 Rahu (They're Gone) will be aired on MTV this Ramadan.
Rahu (They're Gone) will be aired on MTV this Ramadan.
TT
20

Lebanese TV Channels to See Shy Viewership During Ramadan

 Rahu (They're Gone) will be aired on MTV this Ramadan.
Rahu (They're Gone) will be aired on MTV this Ramadan.

This Ramadan season, the regular competition for viewership among competing Lebanese TV channels doesn't hold the enthusiasm of previous seasons. Due to the crippling economic situation, many channels are forced to work on a budget, with commercial advertisements, a major source of revenue, almost absent.

The internet has also contributed to the low viewing rates, with many viewers preferring to watch dramas through online video platforms than on TV.

In light of the turbulent situation in Lebanon, it would have been prudent for many TV-station owners to take it slow this Ramadan season to avert incurring significant losses and losing their loyal fan base.

Also, many news broadcasts might get interrupted at random to cover protests or unexpected political developments.

However, among those channels, one can see that MTV didn’t want to compromise on quality. The channel revealed its programs for this Ramadan season, and it includes an array of Lebanese, Arabic and Turkish dramas.

One of the most anticipated of these series is “Rahu” (They’re Gone), which focuses on terrorism across the globe. Another highly anticipated series is “2020”, a story about a woman working tirelessly in the army to catch the head of a criminal organization. A host of other exciting TV shows will also be shown on MTV.

Other channels like LBCI, Al Jadeed, and MBC will also be in contention with MTV to provide high-quality TV dramas for their viewers, with many prominent names in the television and film industry taking part in those shows.



International K-Pop Fans Thrill to Prospect of BTS Reunion 

Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
TT
20

International K-Pop Fans Thrill to Prospect of BTS Reunion 

Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)
Fans of K-pop band BTS wait for photos near an ARMY Bomb during the annual 2025 BTS Festa celebrating the BTS' debut anniversary in Goyang, South Korea, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP)

Thousands of international fans of K-pop megastars BTS gathered on Friday in the suburbs of Seoul amid mounting excitement over an expected reunion of the group after its members complete mandatory service in the South Korean military.

This year's BTS Festa marks the 12th anniversary of the group, which last performed together in 2022 and has not toured since 2019 because of the global pandemic and subsequent military service obligations of its members.

It was unclear if any of the recently discharged performers would appear at the festival organized by the group's management agency, HYBE.

But that did not dampen the enthusiasm of fans, some of whom flew in from around the world hoping to spot some of the superstars at the gathering or at a pair of solo concerts by BTS rapper J-Hope as he wraps up his "Hope on the Stage" world tour.

"I want to enjoy everything because there are many things to do here and ... I hope to see the guys maybe," said Karla Linan Saucede, 33, who travelled from Mexico with her sister and friends.

"It's gone past excitement and into almost being numb," said Ayla O'Ryan, 45, from Scotland, adding that she planned a visit this month to practice Korean in the capital so that she could attend.

BTS' members Jimin and Jungkook discharged from the South Korean military on Wednesday, become the fifth and sixth to complete their service. Members RM and V were discharged on Tuesday and the last to finish will be Suga on June 21.

While details of a reunion have not been released, the group is expected to hold its largest ever world tour in 2026, says NH Securities, one of South Korea's largest investment firms.

Shares in HYBE jumped 11.3% in June as brokerages raised their sales estimates and target price for the agency ahead of the group's comeback.