The directors who are also the trustees of the charitable company for the purposes of charity law present their annual report and financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The financial statements have been prepred in accordance with the accounting policies set out in Note 1 of the accounts and comply with the charity's constitution, Financial Reporting Standard 102, 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland' ("FRS 102"), the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice as applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
The object for which the charitable company is established is to promote knowledge and understanding of the Christian religion amongst Turkish, Arabic and Persian speaking people through the use of the media of television by means of:
the establishment of necessary television production and communications facilities;
the provision of television production training;
the development, production, distribution and broadcast and narrowcast of television programs using all forms of distribution including the world wide web; and
the provision of education and social services via the media in support of building more stable, inclusive and pluralistic communities in the Middle East and North Africa.
SAT-7 continued to broadcast programming on four satellite television channels using local satellites Nilesat, Yahsat and Turksat. It also delivered content and viewer support services on its own streaming and VOD service as well other digital platforms. The programs explains the Christian faith and its message, and offers holistic and culturally relevant support to the people living across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). We focus particularly on serving the most vulnerable people in the MENA; women, children, the disabled, and the illiterate.
In 2025, the primary focus of the SAT-7 International charity continued to be the provision of administrative, financial and advisory support for SAT-7’s production and broadcast work in the Middle East and North Africa. SAT-7 International carried out ongoing engagement, awareness and support raising for its objectives globally in South East Asia (Hong Kong and Singapore) and the Middle East (UAE).
In 2025, SAT-7 International transferred to SAT-7 MENA offices a total amount of £241,787 on behalf of SAT-7 International Trust.
SAT-7 International’s income has decreased from £320,512 in the previous financial year to £262,281.
The net income for 31 December 2025 is £4,138 (2024 - £7,454). At the year end the charitable company holds unrestricted free reserves of £105,289 (2024 - £101,151).
The directors have identified a minimum free reserve requirement of £3,000 (based on an average month’s running costs) in order to be able to meet commitments as they fall. This policy is met as at 31 December 2025.
The Board will conduct a review of the major risks to which the charitable company is exposed in 2025. Where appropriate, systems or procedures will be established to mitigate the risks the charitable company faces.
2025 was the third year of the 2023-2025 which guides us in engaging with our audiences across the MENA and in addressing their varied needs and questions concerning the Christian faith.
A new strategy for the period 2026-2028 has been approved.
It is this work that the charity supports financially. Following is a brief summary of our main cross channels goals in 2025 which are linked to the current strategy.
Next generation
Accelerate content and allocate budget for children and youth in all languages.
Beyond our studios
Increase production from and to the Levant (excl. Lebanon), the Gulf, North Africa, Azerbaijan and Tajikistan.
Current Affairs and Peacebuilding
One new current affairs flagship program on each channel with social media outlet.
Significant features and segments on peace-building and reconciliation in current affairs programs and other content across all channels.
Artificial Intelligence (Generative AI)
Integrating AI into all relevant workflows.
Explore historical AI drama for all languages.
Follow-up training for all staff in AI and in-depth training of specialised colleagues in specific AI tools.
Implement new production model
Including use and implementation of virtual production.
SAT-7 PLUS
Premiere more dedicated VoD production.
Establish a small, dedicated SAT-7 PLUS team.
Increase the front-end user experience significantly.
Implementation of “Design for Impact”
Embed “Design for Impact” principles into all our program proposals and production planning.
SAT-7’s full 2025 annual report is published online at https://sat7.org/about-us/publications/
The organisation is a charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated on 11 April 2005 and registered as a charitable company on 11 April 2005. The charitable company was established under a Memorandum of Association which establishes the objects and powers of the charitable company and is governed under its Articles of Association. A resolution to amend the Memorandum and Articles of the charitable company was passed on 6 January 2017. In the event of the charitable company being wound up members are required to contribute an amount not exceeding £1.
The directors who served during the year and up to the date of signature of the financial statements were:
A pack with all appropriate documents has been provided to Directors e.g. memorandum and articles of association, annual report, unaudited financial statements, and SAT-7 International’s governance document which specifies the duties and responsibilities of Directors. Alongside this the Directors:
• are appointed to ensure that the organisation thrives and pursues its objectives with vigour whilst maintaining good corporate governance.
• are appointed based on necessary skills to ensure the organisation meets its goals.
• review the composition of the Board from time to time to ensure we have all the necessary skills.
• regularly assess training needs and arrange appropriate training in line with the assessment.
The directors' report was approved by the Board of Directors.
I report on the financial statements of the charitable company for the year ended 31 December 2025, which are set out on the statement of financial activities, balance sheet and related notes.
The charitable company’s directors, who also act as trustees for the charitable activities of SAT-7 International, are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investments (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. The directors consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the 2006 Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the financial statements as required under section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
My examination is carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the financial statements presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the financial statements, and seeking explanations from the trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the financial statements.
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
to keep accounting records in accordance with section 44(1) (a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and
to prepare financial statements which accord with the accounting records and comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations;
to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the financial statements to be reached.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.
SAT-7 International is a charitable company limited by guarantee incorporated in the United Kingdom and registered in Scotland (SC283078). It is recognised as a charity for tax purposes by HMRC and is registered with the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) under charity number SC036497. The registered office is Summit House, 4-5 Mitchell Street, Edinburgh, EH6 7BD.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the charitable company's memorandum and articles of association, the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005, the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended), FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (“FRS 102”) the Charities SORP "Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)" (effective 1 January 2019) and the provisions of the Companies Act 2006 applicable to small companies. The charitable company is a Public Benefit Entity as defined by FRS 102.
The charitable company has taken advantage of the provisions in the SORP for charities not to prepare a Statement of Cash Flows.
The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charitable company. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention. The principal accounting policies adopted are set out below.
At the time of approving the financial statements, having considered all information available to them, the directors have a reasonable expectation that the charitable company has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus the directors continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.
Unrestricted funds are available for use at the discretion of the directors in furtherance of their charitable objectives.
Cash donations are recognised on receipt. Other donations are recognised once the charitable company has been notified of the donation, unless performance conditions require deferral of the amount. Income tax recoverable in relation to donations received under Gift Aid or deeds of covenant is recognised at the time of the donation.
Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis. All expenses, including support costs and governance costs, are allocated or apportioned to the applicable expenditure headings in the statement of financial activities. More information on this allocation is below.
Grants and donations payable are payments made to third parties in the furtherance of the charitable objects of the charity.
The charity is not registered for VAT therefore VAT is charged against the expenditure heading for which it was incurred.
Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses.
Depreciation is recognised so as to write off the cost or valuation of assets less their residual values over their useful lives on the following bases:
The gain or loss arising on the disposal of an asset is determined as the difference between the sale proceeds and the carrying value of the asset, and is recognised in the statement of financial activities.
At each reporting end date, the charitable company reviews the carrying amounts of its tangible assets to determine whether there is any indication that those assets have suffered an impairment loss. If any such indication exists, the recoverable amount of the asset is estimated in order to determine the extent of the impairment loss (if any).
Cash and cash equivalents include cash in hand, deposits held at call with banks, other short-term liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less, and bank overdrafts. Bank overdrafts are shown within borrowings in current liabilities.
The charitable company has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 ‘Basic Financial Instruments’ and Section 12 ‘Other Financial Instruments Issues’ of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.
Financial instruments are recognised in the charitable company's balance sheet when the charitable company becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.
Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or to realise the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.
Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.
Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.
Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.
Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charitable company’s contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.
Transactions in currencies other than pounds sterling are recorded at the rates of exchange prevailing at the dates of the transactions. At each reporting end date, monetary assets and liabilities that are denominated in foreign currencies are retranslated at the rates prevailing on the reporting end date. Gains and losses arising on translation in the period are included in profit or loss.
In the application of the charitable company’s accounting policies, the directors are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.
The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.
The directors are of the opinion that there are no critical accounting estimates or judgements that would have a material impact on the financial statements.
SAT - 7
Partnership costs
Support Costs
Donations
Bank charges
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain
Office expenses
Consultancy fees
SAT - 7
Partnership costs
Support Costs
Donations
Bank charges
Foreign exchange (loss)/gain
Office expenses
Consultancy fees
Independent examination fee
No directors received any remuneration during the year. No directors (2024: none) received reimbursement of travel or other expenses during the year (2024: £nil).
The directors consider themselves to be the only key management personnel of the charitable company.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The charitable company received services in kind from a Director, David Middleton. No value has been included in the Statement of Financial Activities as the benefit to the charitable company is not reasonably quantifiable and measurable.
During the year, the charity received donations totallling £241,787 (2024 - £299,615) from other members of the SAT-7 charity network. Donations of £241,787 (2024 - £299,615) were made to a related SAT-7 charity in Cyprus for onward distributions for productions. in the Middle East and North Africa as required.