United States Agency for Global Media

A new and revitalized Alhurra TV launches across the Middle East

November 3, 2018

On Nov. 4^th, Alhurra Television will reveal the first step towards its largest transformation in its 14-year history with an overhaul of the channel as it changes the look and feel of the television network. Viewers will see that Alhurra is more than doubling the number of newscasts to 12 hours per day and will be coming live from studios outside of Washington, D.C. and Dubai. In addition, the channel will have an all-new line-up of anchors.

The new programs will have extensive reporting from across the region and providing in-depth analysis focusing on topics not found in other Arab media outlets such as social, cultural and religious challenges. In addition to stronger content, the relaunch will include new graphics for its programs. Alhurra can be previewed here following the launch at 1700 GMT on Nov. 4^th.

“This is something that I set out to do my first day as president of MBN. The network now has a strong identity and can compete with the other pan-Arab networks in the region,” stated MBN President Amb. Alberto Fernandez. MBN manages and oversees Alhurra TV. “The relaunch is just the first of many changes that will appear on Alhurra and we look forward to the coming months, as we continue to improve the content and  the on-air experience of the network.”

Newscasts will report from throughout the Middle East/North Africa region, the U.S. and around the world. Alhurra will have daily newscasts dedicated to North Africa and a daily newscast focused on stories from the U.S.  Alhurra will also introduce a new line-up of fast-paced, thought-provoking programs that will enlighten and engage viewers, as well as updating current programs to fit with the revamped network. The new programs include:

• The Talk Is Syrian — A weekly show that analyzes, through discussion and visual elements, the developments, humanitarian crises, and the overall political situation in Syria.
• Decision’s Capital — A weekly show that displays American foreign policy with insiders who shape and influence the policies.
• Islam Hurr (Free Islam) — A weekly show that focuses on enlightenment values instilling the language and adaptation of “free, moderate Islam” into daily life.
• Forbidden — A weekly show that provides a platform for silenced intellectual moderate voices and ideas whose work is banned or marginalized in Arab Countries
• Investigative Reports — A weekly no-holds-barred show that highlights and encapsulates the best of original, Alhurra investigative reports produced by Alhurra’s new investigative news unit.
• Defecting Back Home — A limited run series that explores life after ISIS from the point of view of ex-ISIS fighters who address how they joined ISIS, what they saw and did, why they left, and how they are coming back to life.
• Sam and Ammar — A weekly show where two intellectuals share their unfiltered and cutting edge views of current affairs and spotlight Washington’s political and economic decisions that impact the target region.
• Debatable — A weekly show wherein the renowned Ibrahim Essa promotes critical thinking while analyzing radical Islamic ideas and raises questions on how these ideas are dictating lives and risk essential freedom.
• Gulf Talk — A weekly show that addresses current news and developments in the Gulf countries.
• Inside Washington — A weekly American current affairs program that addresses political and social issues.

Changes will also be seen on Alhurra-Iraq, Radio Sawa and Alhurra.com including more news content and increased coverage of topics not found on other media outlets.

Alhurra Television is an Arabic-language television network that broadcasts to 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa via satellite. It is operated by the non-profit corporation “The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, Inc.” (MBN). MBN is financed by the U.S. Government through a grant from the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), an independent federal agency.  USAGM serves as a firewall to protect the professional independence and integrity of the broadcasters.

 

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