2M (TV channel)
2M is a Moroccan free-to-air television network. It was established by the royal-owned conglomerate, ONA, before being partly sold to the Moroccan state. Of 2M, 20.7% is owned by Mohammed VI's holding company SNI, while approximately 60% is controlled by the Moroccan state. It is based in Casablanca. The channel is available free-to-air locally on digital signal with national coverage, and on satellite television via Globecast, Nilesat and Arabsat. 2M offers services in Arabic, French, and Berber. Background. 2M was set up as a second national  television channel with the aim of promoting competition and diversity in Moroccan audio-visual broadcasting. 2M started its programmes officially on 4 March 1989. It used to be a cable channel broadcasting unscrambled twice a day. After 7 years of activity, SOREAD (ONA group), the major shareholder, withdrew from the management of this TV channel due to financial reasons. The Moroccan state took over the control of 2M with a participation of 68% in its capital. This takeover was supported by a major effort to develop the audio-visual sector. Radio 2M is the companion radio channel  to 2M, presenting music, news, and information directly from Morocco in Arabic and French. Content. 2M challenged taboos by debating controversial issues and established a reputation for itself as a symbol of freedom of speech in Morocco. The channel regularly broadcasts news, films, sports and music. It is a government-controlled public TV station and it has been alleged that the government also controls editorial choices. 2M has two separate feeds: one available nationwide via terrestrial television, and a satellite feed under the branding 2M Monde (French for lit. 2M World). Both feeds have the  same local shows but are aired at different times. 2M Monde does not broadcast Hollywood movies and American TV shows because the network only buys their broadcasting rights for within Morocco. The channel gained controversy when on 23 November 2016, it aired a segment on its morning show "Sabahiyat 2M", on how to cover beaten bruises with makeup on the International Day to Eliminate Violence Against Women. 2M apologized on 28 November for airing the segment, calling it an "error in judgment." Programming. Foreign shows. List of American and European TV shows broadcast by the local version  of 2M (which may change time by time): American TV shows and Hollywood movies are imported from France with French dubbing. Some Mexican TV shows are dubbed locally in Moroccan Arabic. Besides American TV shows, 2M also airs a selection of Turkish, Indian and other foreign shows also dubbed in Moroccan Arabic, including "Sapne Suhane Ladakpan Ke", "", "Vaidehi", "Ghar Ki Lakshmi Betiyann", "" (), "Avenida Brasil" and "Larin izbor". 2M's children's programming block ("2M Kids") also includes foreign TV shows also dubbed in Moroccan Arabic, such as "Célestin", "Braceface", "Oggy and the Cockroaches", "Zig and Sharko  and 1001 Nights". All of the aforementioned shows are broadcast on both the local and satellite versions of the channel.