More and more ‘Islamic’ television stations are being launched. And despite strict rules on content, they are proving increasingly popular with advertisers.

The Muslim market, bound together by common values and the halal lifestyle, has the attention of some of the world’s leading brands, from financial services for HNWIs to mass market FMCGs. The opportunity to reach Muslim homes globally through TV is bringing in more players from private entrepreneurs to holding companies, governments and even educational institutions. At the time of writing, plans were under way in Malaysia to launch an Islamic channel operated by the government, and Al Azhar, one of the most reputed institutions of Islamic learning, will be on the airwaves with its channel, too.

How many channels targeting Muslims will succeed in building a loyal audience? How conservative can they remain and how valuable will they be to marketers? What is certain is that TV will reflect and influence the halal lifestyle in more ways than one.