This study attempts to identify the dimensions of the transformation that Arab society, like any contemporary society, is experiencing in its cultural (audiovisual) production, or what can be termed the 'culture of the image'. It questions whether Arab satellite channels have succeeded in performing the required role in developing their cultural programs and materials, and the extent of their impact on shaping the cultural awareness of the Arab viewer.

These questions, simple in their formulation yet profound in their implications, from which many other questions arise in the minds of those who follow media and cultural affairs, are what this study seeks to answer.

This study attempts to uncover the nature of the cultural function of Arab satellite channels through a field study, monitoring the cultural programs they offer, and analyzing the content of samples from these programs. This study attempts to identify the dimensions of the transformation that Arab society is experiencing in its cultural (audiovisual) production, and whether Arab satellite channels have been able to perform the required role in developing their cultural programs and materials.