Saudi Arabia to launch new TV channel on national day

Saudi Arabia has announced the launch of a new state-owned satellite channel, Saudia Alaan (Saudi Now), coinciding with the nation's National Day on 23 September.

The Saudi Media Minister, Salman al-Dossary, announced the development on Wednesday, emphasising that the new channel will report on official and entertainment events.

"In line with the major events and activities hosted by the kingdom under 'Vision 2030', the Saudi Broadcasting Authority is launching the #Saudi_Now channel, coinciding with the 93rd National Day," Dossary posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.

"The channel focuses on broadcasting events and occasions directly, utilising the latest modern practices," he added.

According to the Saudi daily Asharq al-Awsat, Saudia Alaan will cover "current progress in the kingdom [by hosting] various domestic, regional and international events and conferences spanning political, economic, education and entertainment fields".

مواكبة للأحداث الكبرى والفعاليات التي تستضيفها المملكة، في ظل "رؤية السعودية 2030"، تُطلق هيئة الإذاعة والتلفزيون قناة #السعودية_الآن، بالتزامن مع اليوم الوطني 93؛ حيث تركز على نقل الفعاليات والمناسبات مباشرة، بأحدث الممارسات العصرية 🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/SvkEpgXGit

— سلمان الدوسري (@SalmanAldosary) September 13, 2023

Dossary told the newspaper that the new channel will use the "latest modern practices" in its coverage of events and will also maintain an active presence on social media platforms to "engage with" a broad audience.

The move comes as part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to transform itself into a global media hub.

The plan saw the relocation of key media outlets from abroad and a focus on digital platforms, exemplified by the migration of prominent state-owned media like Al Arabiya from Dubai to Riyadh.

However, most forms of media in the country, including newspapers, films, television, books and content published online face heavy censoring.

The kingdom has spent hundreds of billions of dollars on megaprojects aimed at stimulating and diversifying its economy away from petrodollars.

The kingdom’s day-to-day ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, has embarked on major social reforms but the changes have been accompanied by a crackdown on dissent.

This included the 2018 murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi by state agents in the kingdom’s consulate in Istanbul.

The CIA, the US intelligence agency, concluded that the Saudi crown prince was responsible for the operation, which he has denied.