MBC Max Channel Frequencies on All satellite platforms and Receiver installation Steps

MBC Max, a prominent channel within the MBC Group, is a leading source for movie lovers across the Middle East and North Africa.

Started on October 26, 2008, MBC Max offers a 24/7 lineup of Hollywood films, ranging from romantic comedies to family-friendly dramas, with minimal violence or explicit content.

Operated from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the channel caters to a broad audience with English-language movies often subtitled in Arabic.

As a free-to-air channel, MBC Max is accessible to millions via multiple satellite platforms, making it a popular choice for watchers seeking premium cinematic Fun.

This article provides the latest frequencies for MBC Max on all relevant satellite platforms, detailed steps for adding the channel to your receiver, reception tips, and an overview of its programming as of June 2025.

On the subject of MBC Max

MBC Max, part of the Saudi-owned MBC Group, is designed to complement other MBC channels like MBC 2 by focusing on lighter, family-oriented Hollywood films.

Since its high-definition launch in July 2011, the channel has gained a loyal following for its curated selection of movies, including romantic dramas, comedies, and first-time-on-TV premieres.

A major partnership with Warner Bros. ensures access to top American films and select TV series, appealing to female audiences and families.

MBC Max broadcasts uninterrupted content in English with Arabic subtitles, aligning with the cultural preferences of the MENA region.

Its free-to-air status on satellite platforms like Nilesat and Arabsat ensures wide accessibility, making it a staple for movie enthusiasts in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

MBC Max Frequencies on All satellite platforms

To tune into MBC Max, you need the correct frequency, reception direction, symbol rate, and FEC (Forward Error Correction) settings for your satellite platform receiver. Below are the latest and verified frequencies for MBC Max on major satellite platforms as of June 2025, compiled from reliable sources.

Nilesat 201/Eutelsat 7 West A (7.0° West)

• Channel: MBC Max

• Frequency: 11559 MHz

• reception direction: Vertical (V)

• Symbol Rate: 27500 kS/s

• FEC: 5/6

• Beam: North-West Africa (NWA)

Arabsat Badr 5/6/7 (26.0° East)

• Channel: MBC Max

• Frequency: 11270 MHz

• reception direction: Vertical (V)

• Symbol Rate: 27500 kS/s

• FEC: 5/6

• Beam: East Beam

• Alternative Frequency:

  • Frequency: 12284 MHz

  • reception direction: Vertical (V)

  • Symbol Rate: 27500 kS/s

  • FEC: 5/6

  • Beam: North-West Africa (NWA)

Yahsat 1A (52.5° East)

• Channel: MBC Max HD

• Frequency: 11900 MHz

• reception direction: Horizontal (H)

• Symbol Rate: 27500 kS/s

• FEC: 3/4

• Beam: Middle East

Additional Notes

• Absence on Other satellite platforms: MBC Max is not currently broadcast on satellite platforms like Hotbird (13.0° East), Astra (19.2° East), or Intelsat 20 (68.5° East) for MENA audiences, as its primary focus is the Middle East and North Africa via Nilesat, Arabsat, and Yahsat.

• Frequency Verification: Older frequencies, such as 11315 MHz (Vertical) on Eutelsat 7 West A, are outdated and should be avoided. Some sources mention 11470 MHz (Vertical) on Eutelsat 7WB (8.0° West), but this is less reliable for MBC Max in most MENA regions.

• Outside MENA Region: watchers in Europe, Asia, or the Americas may face limited direct satellite platform access due to Nilesat and Arabsat’s regional footprints. Check with local providers for retransmission or use MBC’s streaming platform, Shahid, for online access, subject to regional availability.

• reception Challenges: In areas like Tanzania or Makkah, users report weak receptions on Nilesat’s 11559 MHz frequency, often requiring a high-quality Ku-band LNB and a dish size of 90 cm or larger to achieve stable reception (98% reception strength recommended).

Tips for Receiving MBC Max

To ensure optimal reception of MBC Max, consider these practical tips based on user experiences and technical requirements:

1. Dish Size Selection: A 60-80 cm dish is adequate for Nilesat and Arabsat in core MENA regions (e.g., Egypt, UAE). In fringe areas (e.g., West Africa, northern Europe), use a 90-120 cm dish for stronger reception capture, especially for Arabsat’s 12284 MHz frequency.

2. Accurate Dish Alignment: Use a satellite platform finder tool or app (e.g., SatFinder or DishPointer) to align your dish precisely toward the target satellite platform (Nilesat at 7.0° West, Arabsat at 26.0° East, or Yahsat at 52.5° East). Ensure no obstructions block the reception path.

3. LNB Compatibility: Install a high-quality Universal Ku-band LNB with local oscillator frequencies of 9.75 GHz (low band) and 10.6 GHz (high band). For MBC channels, a powerful Ku-band LNB is critical to achieve stable reception, particularly in areas with weak receptions like Nigeria or Ghana.

4. reception Quality Monitoring: Aim for at least 70% reception quality (ideally 98% for MBC channels) on your receiver’s installation menu to prevent pixelation or freezing, especially during adverse weather. Adjust LNB skew (e.g., 6 o’clock position) for optimal performance.

5. Weather Considerations: Ku-band receptions are susceptible to rain fade. Secure your dish to withstand wind and check LNB caps for water damage to maintain reception integrity.

6. Footprint Verification: Confirm your location is within the satellite platform’s beam (e.g., Nilesat’s North-West Africa or Arabsat’s East Beam) using coverage maps on www.dishpointer.com or www.satbeams.com. For example, South Sudan may require Eutelsat 8WB (8.0° West) for better coverage.

Steps to Add MBC Max to Your Receiver

Follow these detailed steps to manually add MBC Max to your satellite platform receiver. These instructions are general and compatible with most receivers (e.g., Strong, Humax, Technisat), though menu options may vary slightly depending on the model.

1. Access the installation Menu:

   • Using your receiver’s remote control, press the “Menu” or “Settings” button.

   • Navigate to the “Installation,” “installation,” or “Channel Search” section (may be labeled differently, e.g., “Antenna installation” or “Tuner Configuration”).

2. Select Manual Search:

   • Choose “Manual Scan,” “Manual Installation,” or “Manual Search” to input custom transponder settings.

   • If prompted, select “Add New Transponder” or “Edit TP.”

3. Choose the satellite platform:

   • Select the target satellite platform from the list:

     • For Nilesat: Nilesat 201/Eutelsat 7 West A (7.0° West).

     • For Arabsat: Arabsat Badr 5/6/7 (26.0° East).

     • For Yahsat: Yahsat 1A (52.5° East).

   • If the satellite platform is not listed, add it manually by entering its orbital position (e.g., 7.0° W for Nilesat).

4. Enter Transponder Details:

   • Input the following settings based on your chosen satellite platform:

     • Nilesat (11559 MHz):

       • Frequency: 11559 MHz

       • reception direction: Vertical (V)

       • Symbol Rate: 27500 kS/s

       • FEC: 5/6

     • Arabsat (11270 MHz):

       • Frequency: 11270 MHz

       • reception direction: Vertical (V)

       • Symbol Rate: 27500 kS/s

       • FEC: 5/6

     • Yahsat (11900 MHz):

       • Frequency: 11900 MHz

       • reception direction: Horizontal (H)

       • Symbol Rate: 27500 kS/s

       • FEC: 3/4

   • Ensure all values are entered accurately to avoid scan failures.

5. Initiate the Scan:

   • Press “Scan,” “Search,” or “OK” to start the transponder scan.

   • Select “FTA Only” or “All Channels” (since MBC Max is free-to-air) to include unencrypted channels.

   • Wait for the scan to complete, which may take a few minutes. MBC Max should appear in the results along with other MBC channels (e.g., MBC 2, MBC Action).

6. Save the Channels:

   • Once the scan is complete, confirm and save the scanned channels by pressing “Save” or “OK.”

   • The receiver will add MBC Max to your channel list, typically under the “All Channels” or “Movies” category.

7. Fine-Tune the Dish:

   • If MBC Max doesn’t appear or the reception is weak, adjust the dish’s azimuth and elevation slightly while monitoring the reception meter on the receiver’s “reception Strength” or “Transponder” screen.

   • Check LNB skew and cable connections for optimal reception quality (aim for 70-98% reception strength).

8. Test the Broadcast:

   • Navigate to the channel list, locate MBC Max, and select it to verify clear transmission.

   • If the channel is missing or displays “No reception,” recheck the transponder settings, ensure the dish is aligned correctly, or consult a professional installer.

Model-Specific Notes:

• For Strong receivers (e.g., SRT 4920, 4950), use the “Transponder” menu under “Installation” and enable “LNB Power” before scanning.

• For Humax or Technisat receivers, select “Single satellite platform Search” and verify the LNB type is set to “Universal” (9750/10600 MHz).

• If issues persist, refer to your receiver’s user manual for specific menu navigation or reset the receiver to factory settings before retrying.

MBC Max Programming Highlights

MBC Max delivers a carefully curated selection of Hollywood films, emphasizing family-friendly and female-oriented content with Arabic subtitles.

Its 24/7 schedule is designed to provide uninterrupted Fun, with minimal commercial breaks. Below are key programs and content categories:

Popular Content

• Romantic Comedies: Films like The Proposal and Crazy Rich Asians, popular for their light-hearted romance and humor.

• Family Dramas: Titles such as The Fault in Our Stars and A Walk to Remember, resonating with emotional storytelling.

• Classic Movies: Iconic films like Pretty Woman and Sleepless in Seattle, appealing to nostalgic watchers.

• First-Time Premieres: Exclusive broadcasts of recent releases, such as Knives Out or Little Women, drawing large audiences.

• Select Series: Occasional airings of Warner Bros. TV shows like Friends or The Big Bang Theory, tailored for family viewing.

Content Categories

• Romantic and Comedy Films: A staple of MBC Max, featuring movies like 27 Dresses and La La Land for feel-good Fun.

• Drama and Emotional Stories: Films exploring love, loss, and personal growth, such as Me Before You.

• Family-Friendly Content: Movies suitable for all ages, like The Parent Trap, ensuring safe viewing for households.

• Limited Action/Thriller: Unlike MBC Action, MBC Max avoids violent or intense genres, focusing on lighter narratives.

• Themed Movie Nights: Weekly specials, such as rom-com marathons or classic film weekends, enhancing watcher engagement.

MBC Max’s schedule prioritizes prime-time slots (7 PM to 11 PM) for major releases and weekend marathons, with daytime hours featuring reruns or lighter films for flexible viewing.