Arabic TV in the UK: Al Jazeera, MBC and official options (2026)

The short answer

The easiest way to watch Arabic TV in the UK

One subscription with over 3,000 Arabic channels live: the national channels, news, series, sport, kids and films. Plus the channels of the UK and 80+ countries. No more juggling apps that each cover only a part.

VOLTIX in numbers · Sponsored

3,000+Arabic channels

500sport

1,134film & series

98news

128kids

All your home channels. With you, always.

Over 3,000 Arabic channels and live TV from 80+ countries in one app: news, series, kids, films, sport and the big matches. Wherever you live, home is one tap away.

Over 3,000 Arabic channels, live
News, series, kids, films
Sport, PPV and events included
55,000+ channels, 80+ countries
TV, phone, tablet, laptop
Ready in 2 minutes
No auto-renew
5-day money-back guarantee

$6.66a month on the yearly plan
(about £5); offer until 30 November

Try it free See the plans

Advertisement. Free trials are limited each day.

A smiling woman in a headscarf on a video call on her laptop at home

Channel by channel

The channels people look for

Al JazeeraFree live stream on aljazeera.net

MBC

MBC, RotanaOn Shahid, MBC's app; what plays from Europe depends on the licence

Your country's national channelsOften on their own websites, but live TV is sometimes blocked abroad

Sky, Virgin MediaNo official Arabic package found

Rather have everything in one app? See the all-in-one option →

Compared

VOLTIX vs the official options

Over 3,000 Arabic channels in one subscription on one side. On the other, the official options are split: Al Jazeera free online, Shahid for the MBC channels, and we found no Arabic package from the big TV providers.

	VOLTIXSponsored	Al Jazeera	Shahid (MBC)	Sky, Virgin Media
Arabic channels	3,000+ channels500 sport · 1,134 film & series · 98 news · 128 kids	Al Jazeera's news channels	The MBC channels; Rotana on VIP	No Arabic package found
Works in the UK	✓	✓	Depends on the licence	–
Channels of the UK too	✓	✗	✗	✓
80+ other countries	✓	✗	✗	✗
Sport and PPV	✓ included	–	–	–
Price	From $6.66 a monthyearly plan, about £5	Free	Free version; VIP paid	–
Try it first	Free triallimited each day	–	–	–

Try VOLTIX free See the plans

Advertisement. Official options checked 1 Nov 2026; sources below.

Quick answers

Questions people ask

What's the easiest way to watch Arabic TV in the UK?

One subscription with over 3,000 Arabic channels, such as our advertiser VOLTIX: the Arabic channels live, plus the channels of the UK and 80+ countries, on any device. The official options are split: Al Jazeera free online, Shahid for the MBC channels, and we found no Arabic package from the big TV providers.

Can I watch Al Jazeera for free?

Yes. Al Jazeera streams live for free on aljazeera.net, together with Al Jazeera Mubasher and Al Jazeera Documentary.

Can I watch MBC in the UK?

The MBC channels stream live on Shahid, MBC's app, and the Rotana channels on Shahid VIP. Shahid is made for the Middle East and North Africa, so what plays from Europe depends on the licence.

Is there an official Arabic package in the UK?

We couldn't find one from the big TV providers, Sky and Virgin Media.

Do I need a TV licence if I only watch Arabic channels?

Yes. In the UK you need a TV licence to watch live TV on any channel and any device, foreign channels included.

Can I watch Arabic news live?

Yes. Al Jazeera is free on its website. For the Arabic news channels in one place, our advertiser VOLTIX has 98 Arabic news channels live.

Do I need a satellite dish?

No. Everything in this guide works over your home internet: a smart TV, a Fire TV Stick or Android TV box, a phone or a laptop. No dish, no installer, no landlord's permission.

Can I watch on my TV?

Yes: use your smart TV's app, add a Fire TV Stick or Android TV box, or cast from your phone or laptop.

More for Arab people in the UK

Guides for you

Arabic TV in the UKThe Arabic channels live, and how the official options compare.The Arab community in the UKHow many, where people live, mosques, Arabic lessons and where people meet online.

Sources