Orbit talk show ‘saved’ by Mubarek
Chris Forrester
03-01-2010

Last July two Middle East pay-TV operators ‘merged’ their businesses. Showtime absorbed the activities of the Orbit platform. Now, one of Orbit’s star chat-shows was almost taken off the air with allegations that its studio production bills were not being paid.

Egypt’s president Hosni Mubarek has stepped in to see the popular show, "Al-Qahera Al-Youm”, hosted by the often controversial Amir Adeeb, stay on air. Local reports allege that the Orbit show, which is produced daily from studios at Egypt’s giant Media Production City (MPC), has not been paying its bills.

Last Saturday MPC officials ordered the show to be shut down, and let it be known that Orbit owes some 15 million Egyptian Pounds (about US$2.7m) and has allegedly ignored frequent requests to pay its outstanding invoices.

However, at the 11th hour, according to host Adeeb, President Mubarek stepped in and ordered the show be kept on air. "Just as they will say that no newspaper was banned during Mubarak's reign, they will also say that no talk show was banned during his reign," Adib said. Fans of the show called in throughout its three-hour duration to express their gratitude for Mubarak and his protection for freedom of the media, reported the Zawya news agency.

This is not the first squabble that Orbit has had to face concerning payments. Show host Adeeb admitted that there were problems between MPC and the broadcaster, but declined to expand on the issues.