Quick answer: No mainstream paid US service carries Iraq’s national broadcasters. The one Iraq-branded channel you’ll find on a major US service is MBC Iraq on MBC Shahid (about $11.49/month, also bundled in Sling’s Al Ostoura pack) — but be clear-eyed: MBC Iraq is a Saudi-owned MBC Group entertainment channel made for Iraqi audiences, not a national broadcaster like Al Iraqiya. For the actual Iraqi national channels — Al Sumaria, Al Sharqiya, Al Iraqiya — the legitimate route is each broadcaster’s own free official live stream, website, app, or YouTube channel. We’d rather tell you that than sell you a bundle that doesn’t carry what you’re looking for.
If you’re in the US and searching for “Iraqi TV,” it helps to split the question in two: are you after Iraqi entertainment (drama, shows, the MBC-style lineup), or after Iraqi national channels (news, state TV, the channels people watch back home)? The answer is different for each, and being honest about the difference saves you money. Here’s the map as of mid-2026.
MBC Iraq on Shahid and Sling — and what it actually is
If you want Iraqi-targeted entertainment, there’s a clean paid option: MBC Iraq, part of the MBC Group, is carried on MBC Shahid for roughly $11.49/month. It’s also available through Sling’s Al Ostoura pack, which bundles the Shahid library alongside 100+ pan-Arab channels.
The honest caveat: MBC Iraq is a Saudi-owned entertainment channel aimed at Iraqi viewers — programming, series, and shows curated for an Iraqi audience. It is not Iraq’s state or national broadcaster. So if what you actually want is Iraqi news or the homegrown national channels, MBC Iraq won’t scratch that itch, no matter which bundle you buy it through.
When does paid make sense here? If you want MBC Iraq plus a big Arabic library — Egyptian drama, Gulf channels, Lebanese networks, the Shahid VOD catalog — then a Shahid subscription, or Sling’s Al Ostoura pack if you want it all in one place, is reasonable. For just the Iraqi national channels, keep reading — you don’t need to pay at all.
Iraqi national channels — free official streams
Here’s the part nobody puts at the top of the page: Iraq’s main national channels stream free from their own official properties, and that’s the legitimate way to watch them from America. Stick to the broadcasters’ own sites, apps, and YouTube channels — not third-party restreamer sites, which are neither official nor reliable.
- Al Sumaria — one of Iraq’s most-watched independent channels. It offers a free official live stream on its own website (alsumaria.tv) and on its official YouTube channel. This is usually the easiest, most reliable free route from the US.
- Al Sharqiya — Iraq’s first private satellite channel. It streams free via its official website (alsharqiya.com) and through its official iOS and Android apps, so you can watch on a phone or tablet.
- Al Iraqiya — the Iraqi state broadcaster (part of the Iraqi Media Network). An official live stream exists; check the broadcaster’s own site or official app for the current link, as the exact URL and player can change.
A general note on access: broadcaster streams aimed at the home market can occasionally be geo-restricted, and US availability of any single stream can vary. Official YouTube livestreams tend to be the most dependable free route from the US, since they rarely geo-block. If one player isn’t loading, try the broadcaster’s YouTube channel as a backup.
At a glance
| MBC Iraq (Shahid / Sling) | Al Sumaria | Al Sharqiya | Al Iraqiya | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Entertainment (Saudi MBC) | National (independent) | National (private) | State broadcaster |
| Cost | ~$11.49/mo (Shahid) | Free | Free | Free |
| Official route | Shahid / Sling Al Ostoura | Site + YouTube | Site + iOS/Android apps | Official stream/app |
| National channel? | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
FAQ
Can I watch Iraqi national TV on Sling or Shahid? Not the national broadcasters, no. Shahid (and Sling’s Al Ostoura pack, which includes Shahid) carries MBC Iraq, which is a Saudi-owned entertainment channel for Iraqi audiences — not Al Iraqiya or the other national channels. For the national channels, use the broadcasters’ own free official streams.
What’s the cheapest way to watch Iraqi TV from the US? Free — for the national channels. Al Sumaria and Al Sharqiya both stream free from their official sites, apps, and YouTube. You only pay if you specifically want MBC Iraq or a broader Arabic library, in which case Shahid (~$11.49/mo) is the entry point.
Is MBC Iraq the same as Iraqi state TV? No. MBC Iraq is part of the Saudi-owned MBC Group, programmed for Iraqi viewers. Iraq’s state broadcaster is Al Iraqiya, which streams free from its own official channels.
Are these free streams legal to watch in the US? Yes — they’re the broadcasters’ own official streams. Stick to the official websites, apps, and YouTube channels and you’re watching legally. Avoid unofficial restreamer/aggregator sites.
Bottom line
For Iraqi TV in the US, split your search. Want Iraqi entertainment in a polished app with a big Arabic library alongside? MBC Iraq is on Shahid (~$11.49/mo) and in Sling’s Al Ostoura pack — just know it’s a Saudi MBC entertainment channel, not a national broadcaster. Want the actual Iraqi national channels? Al Sumaria, Al Sharqiya, and Al Iraqiya all stream free from their own official sites, apps, and YouTube — no bundle carries them, and you don’t need one. Streams and lineups shift, so confirm on the official site or app before you settle in. For the wider picture, see our best way to watch Arabic TV in the USA guide, the legal Arabic IPTV alternative explainer, our Sling review and Shahid review, or browse the channel finder. Sister guides cover Syrian TV and Palestinian TV.