Satellite Television Viewing among Ethnic Minorities in France

Minority ethnic viewers originating in Islamic countries are more densely equipped with satellite television receivers than the majority population in France. Very little research has so far been conducted on the impact of satellite channels. This article is based on a qualitative survey conducted among 115 viewers in 30 minority ethnic households, mainly of Maghrebi origin. Respondents were asked what they had expected of satellite programmes, how their viewing habits had changed with the installation of satellite receivers and how this had affected personal and family attitudes. The findings reveal major differences between first- and second-generation minority ethnic viewers, as well as significant variations related to gender.