RIYADH, 11 January 2008 — Saudi television viewers noticed a change to the national networks that coincided with Haj in December. Producers said that the complete makeover was part of a greater effort to modernize the networks that many consider stagnant.
One noticeable change has been the incorporation of live news coverage. Gone are the days where one talking head presents the news by reading from a script while sitting staid behind a news desk.
“We sought the expertise from LBC and other networks to train the technicians and presenters,” said Hayam Al-Kilani, director and producer at the network. “The changes include new logos, putting all four channels in a bouquet. The news signals will be changed as well as the quality and quantity of the programs and news.”
The networks comprise four channels: Saudi Channel One, Saudi Channel Two (in English), Saudi Sports and Al-Ekhbariyah, the last of which includes 10 women news anchors, including three Saudis.
“With the new developments Saudi women will have greater opportunities to work in many fields on television,” said Kilani, who recalls — as the first Saudi woman director — facing difficulties in the male-dominated world. “The apprehension came more from my colleagues than my supervisors, who were encouraging and supportive. It was a new concept for society to find a woman behind the camera and directing.”
Kilani added that the channels aim to add more programming that appeals to younger viewers, which make up a large segment of the Saudi population.
Mohammad Mashiakh, former deputy minister of Information for TV Affairs, says that Saudi Arabia is long overdue for institutes that promote electronic media.
“Media people should receive proper training to be able to present the message in the best possible manner,” he said.
In this regard, Saudi television has already come a long way in terms of providing a wider variety of subjects, says Kilani. “I recall the first signal on the Saudi TV,” she said. “The broadcasting services would last for one hour, which includes news briefs, cartoons and recitals from the Holy Qur’an.”
Saudi TV was established in 1965 to the consternation of some Saudis who viewed the technology as a cultural incursion. The aversion was strong enough to result in an armed assault on Saudi TV’s first production studios shortly after it went on the air.
Since this bloody inception, Saudi TV has become accepted facet of society. The programming went from black-and-white to color in 1976. As time progressed, broadcast schedules were increased and more local programming was added, such as variety shows and serials. The new programming opened the way for Saudi celebrities, such as Mohammad Abdo and the late Talal Maddah. In 1983 Channel Two was launched targeting the English-speaking viewers, with some French programs and in 2003 a third channel specialized in sports was launched. Al-Ekhbariyah Channel, which specializes in news and political documentaries, was launched in 2004.
Saudi TV has won regional awards for drama and programming directed at women and children. The most recent changes to Saudi TV are considered just the first step, say producers. A long-term vision for the network includes continued collaboration with other broadcast companies abroad supervised by a special committee at the Ministry of Culture and Information. But, says Mashiakh, the Saudi public should be the final arbiter of the future of Saudi television.
“What is important, though, is the after effect of the new makeover,” he said. “We cannot judge the outcome of this change except after a while and through a survey among the viewers to observe their satisfaction with the new product.”
