Advanced Television

Saudi to license private TV channels

June 6, 2013

A senior Saudi Culture and Information Ministry official has announced plans to license private satellite television channels in the Kingdom.

“The regulatory process in the media sector will be complete with the licensing of private satellite channels,” said Riyad bin Kamal Najm, chairman of the Commission for Audio and Visual Media.

Speaking at Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Najm said a lot of efforts were required to develop the Kingdom’s media.

“The Kingdom’s advertising market needs to be reorganized to suit the size of its economy,” he added. He indicated that a huge part of advertising revenue was going outside the Kingdom.

“The commission will classify companies working in advertising to reorganise investment in the sector,” he said stressing the need to stop cover-up business in this field.

Najm said the commission was established not to monitor the media but to develop it. It has licensed six FM radios and 50 for satellite transmission and 40 for satellite channel offices,” he pointed out.

The commission’s bylaw is being studied by the Experts Committee at the Cabinet.

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