Two Middle East broadcasters launched iPad apps over the summer - but the reception has been mixed.
Both OSN and MBC have Web-TV services available via laptops and PCs and in July launched applications compatible with Apple's tablet. While the OSN Play iPad app performed well in The National's tests, there was room for improvement with MBC's Shahid.net service.
Only the latest shows playing on OSN are available via its iPad app and access is restricted to paid subscribers of the broadcaster's regular satellite service.
The 91 movies include recent titles including The Green Hornet, as well as older films such as The Shining. Series include How I Met Your Mother, while there are also Arabic, kids and sports shows.
The OSN Play app functioned well with videos loading quickly and playing back without interruption. The interface is slick with a decent picture quality and the ability to fast-forward and rewind shows.
But the subtitles feature did not work, while the Arabic audio stream was not available on the English-language shows tested.
MBC's Shahid.net iPad app has 13,500 videos available - many more than OSN Play - including older episodes of TV series. The app is free to download and watch as it is supported by advertising. Much of the content is Arabic, including the popular Arabs Got Talent and Omar series. Western shows include Mad Men.
However, there were several technical issues with Shahid.net attracting negative user comments posted to Apple's App Store.
Tests by The National found Shahid.net's video-loading times to be longer, while the picture frequently froze, went blank or switched unexpectedly out of full-screen mode. Unlike with OSN Play, the app does not override the iPad's hard-to-find mute button, leading some users to mistakenly believe the sound does not work.
Still, a representative of MBC said it had submitted an updated version of the app to Apple, which is currently under review.
Traditional satellite stations may still rule the airwaves in the Middle East. But with Shahid.net and OSN Play rising high in the iPad app charts, the picture is clear: despite a few technical bugs, TV-viewing via tablets is here to stay.
