2M (TV channel)


2M is a Moroccan free-to-air television network. It was established by the royal-owned conglomerate, ONA, before being sold to, in part, the Moroccan government. Of 2M, 45.3% is owned by Bank of Africa, while approximately 32.5% by the Moroccan government, Al Mada, with the remaining shares being owned by Atlas Capital.
The channel is available free-to-air locally on digital signal with national coverage, and on satellite television via Globecast, Nilesat, Arabsat and Hotbird.
2M offers services in Arabic, French, and Berber. It is the most-viewed television channel in Morocco, registering an overall share of 35.4% against Al Aoula's 9.2% in January 2018.

Background

2M was set up as a second national television channel with the aim of promoting competition and diversity in Moroccan audio-visual broadcasting.
2M started its programmes officially on 4 March 1989. It used to be a cable channel broadcasting unscrambled twice a day. After 7 years of activity, SOREAD, the major shareholder, withdrew from the management of this TV channel due to financial reasons. The Moroccan state took over the control of 2M with a participation of 68% in its capital. This takeover was supported by a major effort to develop the audio-visual sector.
In early October 2000, 2M started 24-hour broadcasts, changed its schedule and later started broadcasting on Intelsat on January 15, 2001.
Radio 2M is the companion radio channel to 2M, presenting music, news, and information directly from Morocco in Arabic and French.

Content

2M challenged taboos by debating controversial issues and established a reputation for itself as a symbol of freedom of speech in Morocco. The channel regularly broadcasts news, films, sports and music. It is a government-controlled public TV station and it has been alleged that the government also controls editorial choices.

2M in figures

  • Personnel: 500 people, including 30% executives;
  • Coverage: 80% of the population;
  • Capital: 302,371,500 Moroccan dirham, including 68% owned by the state and 20.7% owned by Mohammed VI's holding SNI.

    Programming

Foreign shows

2M's successes are largely Turkish series dubbed in Arabic, reporting shares of up to 75% as of January 2018.

Former

In the past, the local version of 2M aired French dubs of international TV series, as well as some dubbed in the local dialect of Arabic.
  • 24
  • Alias
  • Bones
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer
  • CSI
  • CSI: NY
  • CSI: Miami
  • Cuenta Atràs
  • Damages
  • Dark Angel
  • Desperate Housewives
  • Dexter
  • Friends
  • Gossip Girl
  • Instant Star
  • Jericho
  • Just Cause
  • Law & Order
  • Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
  • Los hombres de Paco
  • Mad Men
  • Medium
  • Maid in Manhattan
  • Más sabe el diablo
  • NCIS
  • Un paso adelante
  • Prison Break
  • Rubí
  • Stargate Atlantis
  • The 4400
  • The Invisible Man
  • The O.C.
  • The Shield
  • The Sopranos
  • The Simpsons
  • Ugly Betty
  • Vermist
American TV shows and Hollywood movies are imported from France with French dubbing.
On both the local and satellite versions of the channel, a selection of other foreign shows are dubbed locally in Moroccan Arabic:
  • Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke
  • Saat Phere: Saloni Ka Safar
  • Vaidehi
  • Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann
  • Avenida Brasil
  • Larin izbor
2M's children's programming block also includes foreign TV shows dubbed in French or in Moroccan Arabic, such as Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, Oggy and the Cockroaches, Chaotic, Tommy & Oscar, and Bob the Builder.

Locally-produced

  • Arabic afternoon news bulletin
  • Berber news bulletin
  • French evening news bulletin
  • Arabic evening news bulletin
  • EcoNews
  • JamShow
  • Sabahiyat 2M
  • Rachid Show
  • Shahiwat maa Shoumisha
  • L'Couple
  • Maa Lnass
  • Mourakiboun
  • Obesity Challenge