Young adults’ perceptions of satellite TV news services in Bahrain

This article investigates the relationship between university students’ consumption of satellite TV news services and their perceptions of news issues. It examined students’ general news consumption habits and their motives for the choices they make as well as the gratifications they obtain. A survey was administered to a random sample of 325 university students to determine the varying gratifications associated with satellite TV. The findings showed that time spent watching local TV channels was affected by the use of international TV services. Respondents received fewer programmes than they desired from local TV. The data also revealed that entertainment and surveillance needs were the most important gratifications obtained from satellite TV. Interestingly, students have abandoned Al Jazeera TV programmes in favour of other TV services. These findings are discussed in relation to the growing impact of satellite TV services and the emergence of new niche markets in news in Bahrain.