Short answer: the main licensed route for live Arabic channels in the US is Sling's Arabic service, with two packages, Al Ostoura and Al Keifak, which carry channels such as MBC, Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya and MTV Lebanon and include Shahid VIP. On-demand series come from MBC's Shahid app, which works in the US on its own. The catch is that Arabic television is regional: Egyptian, Levantine, Gulf and North African channels are licensed separately, so check the specific channels you want rather than trusting a headline channel count.
At a glance
Arabic TV streaming in the US
| Main live option | Sling Arabic (Al Ostoura, Al Keifak) |
| Sling pricing | From about $13 a month prepaid yearly (2026) |
| Series on demand | MBC Shahid; VIP included with Sling Arabic |
| Free news | Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya live on their own sites and apps |
| Watch out for | Regional channels licensed separately |
How Arabic TV reaches the US
Arabic-language television is produced across more than twenty countries, and its most-watched channels belong to a handful of large groups: MBC from Saudi Arabia and Dubai, Rotana, Egyptian networks such as ON and CBC, Lebanese channels including MTV and LBCI, and state and news broadcasters across the region.
Each licenses its channels for North America separately. That's why no US service carries everything, and why the service that has one country's channels may not have another's.
In practice there are three kinds of licensed option: live channel packages, on-demand apps run by the broadcasters themselves, and free news streams.
The licensed options at a glance
| Option | What you get | Price guide (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Sling Arabic: Al Ostoura | Larger package of live Arabic channels plus Shahid VIP | About $18.33/month prepaid for 12 months |
| Sling Arabic: Al Keifak | Smaller live package plus Shahid VIP | About $13.33/month prepaid for 12 months |
| MBC Shahid app | MBC series, films, originals; VIP tier adds more and some live channels | Free tier; VIP by subscription, price varies |
| News broadcasters' apps | Al Jazeera Arabic, Al Arabiya and others live | Free |
| Free ad-supported platforms | Some Arabic channels and films | Free |
Sling's prices above are its advertised prepaid rates; month-to-month costs more and promotions change often. Shahid's pricing depends on the tier and the store you buy it through. Check both on the day you subscribe.
Sling's Arabic packages
Sling has offered Arabic programming in the US for years and remains the most complete licensed live package.
Two tiers. Al Ostoura is the larger package and Al Keifak the smaller one. Sling advertises channels including MBC, MBC Drama, MTV Lebanon, Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, organised by region: pan-Arab, Lebanon, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine and the Gulf.
Shahid VIP included. Sling bundles MBC's Shahid VIP with its Arabic packages, so a single subscription covers both live channels and a large on-demand library. That's particularly useful around Ramadan, when the biggest series launch.
Sport. Sling lists sport channels among its Arabic offering, including beIN SPORTS and ON Sport options. Rights to individual competitions vary, so confirm the tournament you care about before a season starts.
Other languages alongside. Households that also want English channels can combine an Arabic package with an English Sling plan in the same app.
MBC Shahid on its own
For many viewers, especially those mainly interested in drama, Shahid is the centre of Arabic viewing rather than live TV.
It's MBC Group's streaming service, available in the US through its own app on phones, tablets, smart TVs and streaming devices. A free tier carries a selection of content with adverts. VIP unlocks the full library of MBC series, Shahid originals and films, and some live MBC channels.
Buy it once. If you subscribe to Sling Arabic, Shahid VIP is already included through Sling. Paying for it separately as well is a common and avoidable duplicate.
Ramadan. The Ramadan season is when the biggest Arabic series premiere, and Shahid usually carries many of them the same day as the Gulf broadcast.
Free news and channels
Several major Arabic news channels stream free and legally.
Al Jazeera Arabic and Al Arabiya both offer live streams through their own websites and apps, and on their official YouTube channels.
Other broadcasters, including some national channels, publish official live streams or full episodes online. Look for them on the broadcaster's own site or verified channel rather than third-party uploads.
Free ad-supported TV platforms built into many smart TVs occasionally carry Arabic film and entertainment channels. The selection changes, but it costs nothing to check.
Choosing by region and interest
Because licensing is regional, the best choice depends on where your family's viewing comes from.
| If you mainly want | Look for | Where it tends to be |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf and pan-Arab drama | MBC channels, Shahid originals | Sling Arabic, Shahid VIP |
| Lebanese channels | MTV Lebanon and others | Sling Arabic Lebanon grouping |
| Egyptian series and films | Egyptian networks, Shahid Egyptian titles | Sling Arabic, Shahid |
| News | Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya | Free official streams, Sling Arabic |
| Football in Arabic | beIN SPORTS, ON Sport | Sling Arabic sport options; rights vary |
North African channels from Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia are less widely licensed in the US. National broadcasters' own apps and websites are often the most reliable legitimate source for them, and many also post full episodes on verified video channels.
Three sensible set-ups by budget
Most households end up with one of three combinations.
Free. Official news streams from Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya, Shahid's free tier and broadcasters' own catch-up sites. It costs nothing and covers news and a good slice of drama, with adverts and without most live entertainment channels.
Drama-first. Shahid VIP on its own. If what your household really watches is series rather than live channels, this is often the best value, and it follows you across phones, tablets and the television.
Everything in one place. A Sling Arabic package, which brings live channels and Shahid VIP together. Add an English Sling plan if others in the house want US channels in the same app.
Whichever you choose, start month-to-month or with a trial where one is offered. Prepaying for a year is cheaper, but only once you know the channels you care about are really there.
It's also worth checking again before Ramadan each year, when services often adjust packages, add channels and run offers.
Setting it up at home
Pick a device the services support. Sling and Shahid both have apps for Roku, Fire TV, Google TV, Apple TV and most recent smart TVs. Our guides to Roku and Samsung TVs cover the details.
Set Arabic subtitles and audio per profile. Both apps let each profile keep its own language preferences, which keeps English and Arabic viewers happy in the same household.
Use Ethernet for live channels. Live streams from overseas feeds are sensitive to Wi-Fi drops, particularly during big evening broadcasts.
Grandparents in the house? A single, simple app with large on-screen guides is often better than several. Sling's Arabic package with Shahid included is easier to explain than three separate apps.
What to avoid
Offers of "every Arabic channel" for a few dollars a month, sold through messaging apps or with a player and a code, aren't licensed. Beyond the legal problem of carrying channels without permission, they disappear without warning, frequently fail during Ramadan and big matches when demand peaks, and provide no refund route.
A licensed service will name its channels, sell through its own app or an official store, and take normal card payments. Our subscription guide lists the warning signs.
Quick answers
How can I watch Arabic channels in the USA legally? Sling's Arabic packages carry live channels such as MBC, Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya and MTV Lebanon. MBC's Shahid app covers series and films, and several news channels stream free on their own sites and apps.
How much does Sling Arabic cost? In 2026 Sling advertises Al Keifak from about $13.33 a month and Al Ostoura from about $18.33 a month when prepaid for 12 months. Monthly billing costs more.
Does Sling Arabic include Shahid VIP? Yes. Sling includes Shahid VIP with its Arabic packages, so you don't need a separate Shahid subscription.
Can I get Shahid in the US? Yes. MBC Shahid is available in the US through its own app, with a free tier and a paid VIP tier.
Can I watch Al Jazeera Arabic for free? Yes. Al Jazeera Arabic streams live on its official website, app and YouTube channel.
How do I watch Ramadan series in the US? Most major Ramadan series from MBC appear on Shahid, often on the same day as the Gulf broadcast. Sling Arabic subscribers get Shahid VIP included.
Can I watch Moroccan or Algerian TV in the US? Licensed options are more limited. National broadcasters' own apps and websites are often the most reliable legitimate source.
Arabic channel lineups, package names and prices change, and sports rights move between seasons. Check each service's current channel list before subscribing. Checked September 2026.