Al Hurra is set to become the first 24-hour Western Arabic-language television network broadcasting to Europe with the launch of Al Hurra Europe.
Starting August 1, the US-based TV network will provide Arabic-speaking viewers in Europe with the same news and information programming currently available throughout the Middle East. Broadcasts will be aired on channel 190 via the Eutelsat Hotbird 3 satellite.
Aside from regional and international news reporting, the channel will feature discussion programs and current affairs magazines on issues ranging from health and entertainment to science and fashion.
"We are very excited about bringing Al Hurra's brand of comprehensive and accurate news and information to Arabic speakers throughout Europe. This is a very important audience who should have an alternative to the current main sources of Arabic-language TV news in Europe: Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya," said Joaquin Blaya, chairman of the Broadcasting Board of Governor's Middle East Committee.
The network is operated by a nonprofit corporation, The Middle East Broadcasting Networks, and financed through a grant from the Broadcasting Board of Governors, an independent federal agency funded by the US Congress.
Al Hurra, which in Arabic means "The Free One," today broadcasts to 22 countries in the Middle East. Recent surveys show that Al Hurra has an estimated weekly audience of more than 20 million people and that that more than 70 percent of its viewers consider the news reliable.
Al Hurra TV to begin Europe broadcasts
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