| MBC 1 | |
| Picture Format: | 1080i (HDTV) 576i (SDTV) |
| Owner: | MBC Group |
| Area: | Middle East and North Africa Europe United States |
| Headquarters: | Riyadh, Saudi Arabia |
| Sister Channels: | MBC 2 MBC 3 MBC 4 MBC 5 MBC 6 MBC Drama MBC+ Drama MBC Action MBC Max MBC Persia Al Arabiya Wanasah Al Hadath MBC+ Power MBC Variety HD MBC Bollywood MBC Masr MBC Masr 2 MBC Pro Sports MBC Kuwait MBC Iraq |
| Online Serv 2: | YouTube |
| Online Chan 2: | Watch online (SD) |
| Online Serv 3: | Sling TV |
| Online Chan 3: | Internet Protocol television |
MBC 1 is a free-to-air pan-Arab general television channel. It is owned by the Middle Eastern company MBC Group. Satellite transmission started from London in September 1991, making MBC 1 the first independent Arabic satellite TV station, with an estimated audience of more than 130 million Arab people around the world. MBC has recently moved its headquarters to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
MBC 1 previously used to air cartoons, western movies and programs before launching MBC 2, MBC 3, and MBC 4.
By the mid-2000s, MBC 1 cemented its position as the leading Arabic variety channel.[1]
One of its most popular and controversial shows, and the one generating the highest advertising rates, is Kalam Nawaem, a show led by several women that addresses women's issues and taboos, including terrorism, domestic violence, polygamy, divorce and women's suffrage.
MBC 1 HD launched on 1 July 2011.
From 24 March to 22 June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, MBC 1 used an on-screen DOG depicting its logo encased inside a house.
MBC 1 rebranded in 2012 to bring a new set of idents, idents are now 9 seconds long, unlike 2009's rebrand, which had 20 seconds long idents. In this rebrand, there are menus and bumpers (idents). The menus are used for next tags, which have continuity announcers, bumpers are used to "split" between breaks and programmes, and are used at the end of any programme. Focusing on a "cube-ish" theme, the channel has a simple look, but rather stylish.