The announcement of the new channel, named Tala, which will air cultural, social and sports programs in addition to talk shows, came days after Prince Alwaleed bin Talal said he would launch a 24-hour news channel.

Famous Egyptian journalist Ibrahim Issa also announced that he would launch a new satellite channel to be named Hurriyyah (Freedom). Libyan rebels have also launched their own channel.

Commenting on this trend, media expert Yasser Abdul Aziz said the launching of more satellite channels was proof that the broadcast media had an immense impact on political incidents.

"These unconventional channels will break new ground every day," he said.

Abdul Aziz expected a boom in the Arab media following recent events in the region and said satellite channels would increase in number and kind.

Launching his new Tala magazine at a special function in Jeddah Sunday evening, Saudi businessman Ali Hassan Al-Nagoor said he would also launch a new channel with the same name.

Al-Nagoor pointed out that his realization of the importance of the broadcast media prompted him to launch the new channel, which will be a "Saudi media forum that will paint a new picture of contemporary Saudi society."

According to local media sources, the news channel to be launched by Prince Alwaleed will be seen in all five continents of the world. They say the Egyptian revolution of Jan. 25 made Cairo the most favorable host of the channel.

The sources said the new channel will transmit news around the clock from various locations in order to be able to cover world news and added that it would mainly depend on Arab journalists and also encourage young reporters to join.

Jamal Kashoggi, who was appointed director of the channel, held negotiations with officials at the Media City in Egypt to start transmitting from Cairo. He said Egypt was the center of Arab news and has qualified cadres who are able to present news material and able to compete with specialized Arab news channels.

He said Egyptian officials promised to extend all facilities to the new channel. He also said Cairo may be less costly than other Arab capitals.

Prince Alwaleed reportedly said the new channel would serve development in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries and would promote political, economic and social moderation.

"The channel would be a substitute for existing news channels which adopt extreme attitudes not favored by Arab spectators," he reportedly said.