Star offers some sports, also check showtime sport channels. I used to ESPN hacked on one of those receivers where you can get all channels on HotBird for free (encluding european ESPN and ESPN Classic).

Got ask indians around in UAE, they are great at hacking tv.

I am afraid your assessment is %100 correct. ESPN and Orbit will not renew their contract....Unfortunately for American sports lovers in the ME.... :(

We will just have to wait and see who picks them...ART is probably a safe guess..

Josh, You are God Send. Love your articles about Orbit ESPN.

I myself got shocked when Orbit ESPN was gone from my TV. I sent an Email to Orbit, called them, called them again, with no satisfying answers.

I sent this email and I got the response below it.

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Hello Marc,

The sudden and abrupt disconnection of Orbit ESPN could not have been at any worse timing than now. The College Hoops final four is today and I was planning to get Orbit Kids or Family package only for the sole purpose of watching Orbit ESPN.

Orbit ESPN had many good shows including Sports Center, live NFL games and College Football.

Is there going to be an alternative for it. I talked to Orbit in Saudi Arabia and they seemed to dodge the answer, promising me of a better sports channel in the future. I honestly can’t think of a better channel than Orbit ESPN.

I am greatly disappointed, my alma mater’s game is this Sunday. I will not be able to watch it because of this.


Thank you,

Wael

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Dear Mr. Wael,

Thank you for your email.

After 14 years of providing our subscribers with Orbit ESPN across the Middle East and North Africa, we regret to announce that Orbit and ESPN has now part ways.

Current negotiations are underway with leading international sports networks to bring our valued subscribers what is expected to be a brand new and exciting International sports channel very soon.

In the meantime, we invite our sports fans to enjoy our four existing sports channels JSC+1, JSC+2, AL Riyadiyah and NBA TV, in addition to the best lineup of Western and Arabic entertainment across Orbit’s platform of 55 channels.

Should you require further information please do not hesitate to contact us.

Thank you,

Lowell de Justo
Customer Service
+973-17317317
www.orbit.net

--

ESPN switching to ART is good news. I need SportsCenter badly and it’s easy to get ART.

And for those wanting to watch the Kansas Jayhawks blow out Memphis in college hoops, try it online at cbs.sportsline.com

Moey, How do I get ESPN classic in the Gulf? That'd be awseome.

And my Guess for ESPN switching to ART. It's not that Orbit raised the price, it's the fact that ART's owner (Saleh Kamel) is known for being notorious when it comes to snagging deals from other networks. He's a billionaire and would not mind raising the money to get ESPN.

any idea when this will be made official? i've got the "indian special" & it's got art & everything else, but no espn. i called orbit & got the same b.s. i was infuriated!!! i can't survive with my espn!!!!!!!

Dude, I kind of gave up.

Well, I cry myself to sleep a few times a week, but that's been normal the last two years ...

This is the response I got this week. I hope it helps.

Thank you for writing.

ESPN is now available in the Middle East through ART. There is also another ESPN channel which launched on the platform in April.

For scheduling information, please visit the following site: http://intltv.espn.com/schedules/calendar.jsp
Sincerely,
ESPN Viewer Response

It's official see Orbit ESPN is officially gone.