The Saudi Broadcasting Corporation “SBC” channel aired the first episode of a special Ramadan production on Friday, with its founders confirming that the new broadcaster would have an official full-time launch in September.
“Saudi Arabia is full of talented young men and women,” the Saudi minister of culture and information stressed in a promotional video for the launch of the channel.
“We need to work together to reshape and structure the Saudi media.”
“Today there is a political decision…we want to move from this stage to a stage matching the Kingdom's potential to emerge as a media leader in the Middle East,” said Saudi Culture and Information Minister Dr. Awad Al-Awwad.
“There is no doubt that things were very different after the launch of the Kingdom Vision 2030 led by the Crown Prince,” Awwad added.
For his part, SBC President Dawood Al-Shoryan told Asharq Al-Awsat that the channel so far reached 40% of its target broadcasting material. The channel’s objective is to reach out to the largest base of Saudi viewers possible.
It is worth mentioning that SBC launched as a part of the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s national transformation vision, Kingdom Vision 2030.
“Many young Saudis who have experience and talent will be attracted,” explained Shoryan on the future of Saudi media.
“There will be training with Arab and international stations to develop technical skills and create an enjoyable work environment,” he added.
Under Crown Prince Mohamed Bin Salman, Saudi Arabia has achieved great feats on its path towards modernization and openness.
SBC will be open to privatization in Saudi Arabia, Shoryan implied.
Most importantly, the channel has registered remarkable income from ads. Comparing it to other channels which have been broadcasting for years now, Shoryan says SBC’s cut on ad slots is larger than most networks.
“The beginning of a very promising advertising income,” he said.
“Advertisement booking is very large for a channel has just launched, there are channels over the past years which have not able to secure the income that SBC made in its debut.”
Six Saudi and Arab productions from different genres led SBC’s Ramadan launch. Sponsors strongly believe that the channel will constitute a qualitative shift for Saudi TV, which reinforces authentic Saudi television but with a modern twist.
“We have launched SBC’s online website ‘shasht.com’ (Arabic for screen), offering content upon demand,” confirmed Shoryan.
The website will also provide all aired material as well as free online live broadcasting.
“Shows will be uploaded and available for free before the end of any transmission,” said Shoryan.
