How Ramadan became the TV drama season in Egypt

The month of Ramadan in Egypt is more than just a religious month; it is a time of togetherness, tradition, and, in recent decades, high-stakes television drama. While it may seem a relatively old tradition, the dominance of TV series in Ramadan is a new trend that truly took off in the 1990s and 2000s. With Ramadan being such a central part of Egyptian culture, it’s important to understand how the deeply embedded tradition of Ramadan TV series developed throughout the years and why it became the prime time for television in Egypt, and how it continues to dominate the entertainment landscape. Throughout history, many cultural and industry-driven factors have turned Ramadan into a peak season for drama productions, leading to Ramadan’s significance in both media and daily life. The Roots: From Radio to Early TV (1960s-1980s) Before television became the center of Ramadan entertainment, Egyptians gathered around their radios in the evenings. Radio dramas were incredibly popular, with programs like Alf Leila w Leila (One Thousand and One Nights, 1984) captivating audiences with rich storytelling. These audio-based narratives laid the groundwork for what would later happen with television.