MBC claims El-Bernameg signal problems intentional

The channel that broadcasts Bassem Youssef’s El-Bernameg called interruptions in its signal “intentional” while the political satire show was being aired Friday night.

A statement, posted on the Saudi-owned television show’s website shortly after the signal interruptions occurred, claimed that an unknown entity had deliberately disrupted the channel, affecting viewers across the Arab world.

Al-Masry Al-Youm reported that a group called the “Electronic Egyptian Army” claimed responsibility on its Facebook page for the signal disruption. Mada Masr could not confirm the existence of the page, which did not come up in search results.

Millions of people tune into Youssef's program every week, which has migrated from channel to channel following editorial and administrative differences with networks' management.

Friday’s episode poked fun at TV presenter Tamer Amin’s vest and statements by talk show hosts, especially ONtv host Amany al-Khayyat, about young Egyptians. It also hosted the Nile Project, a group of musicians from the countries of the Nile Basin founded by Egyptian ethnomusicologist Mina Girgis.