Overview

Nessma El Jadida, commonly known as Nessma TV, is a privately owned television channel originating in Tunisia. The name "Nessma" means "breeze" in Arabic. Headquartered in the Tunis area (coordinates), the channel targets viewers across North Africa and the wider Maghreb. Its schedule mixes popular entertainment formats, locally produced shows, regional news items and dubbed or subtitled foreign series tailored for Maghrebi audiences.

Programming and language

Nessma's programming historically includes game shows, talk programmes, soap opera reruns and cultural magazine shows. One of its best-known formats is the regional adaptation of the international quiz show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?, marketed locally as Man sa yarbah al malyoon (Millionaire format). To reach francophone and dialect-speaking viewers, many broadcasts are supplied with subtitles in French or in Maghrebi Arabic dialects (French).

History and development

The channel launched in March 2007, founded by media entrepreneurs Nabil Karoui and Ghazi Karoui in partnership with established media figures including Tarak Ben Ammar and an investment stake from the Italian media group Mediaset. Mediaset has been reported to hold a minority share (around 25%). Nessma was created under the Karoui & Karoui World Group banner and quickly positioned itself as a commercial alternative to state broadcasters in the region.

Geographical reach and distribution

Nessma broadcasts have been available in several North African countries, including Tunisia (Tunisia), Morocco (Morocco), Algeria (Algeria), Libya (Libya) and Mauritania (Mauritania). Distribution channels have included terrestrial platforms, different regional satellites and cable packages intended to reach Maghreb viewers and the diaspora.

Rebranding and recent activity

Over time the channel has gone through programming changes and occasional relaunches. Reported distribution updates include additions to satellite line-ups; for example, on 11 March 2022 Nessma was reported to have been inaugurated on an Iraqi satellite platform (Shabab Sat) and to have arrangements with regional media networks for wider transmission. Such moves reflect attempts to broaden the channel's footprint beyond North Africa.

Ownership and significance

Nessma's mixed ownership and partnerships—combining Tunisian media entrepreneurs with international media investors—illustrate how regional television in the Maghreb has attracted cross‑border capital and format licensing. The channel has been notable for bringing international entertainment formats to Arabic‑speaking North African audiences while adapting language access through subtitling and dubbing. Key figures associated with its creation include Nabil Karoui and others active in the regional media sector.

Further reading

  • For details on its programming and current broadcast schedule consult local listings and media guides (Arabic name, translation).
  • Coverage of distribution and market position appears periodically in regional press and television industry reports (location information).

Nessma El Jadida remains an example of a privately run, commercially oriented television service that has sought to combine international television formats, regional production and multilingual access for audiences across the Maghreb and neighbouring markets.