Qatar is set to launch a second state-run satellite channel. “Final touches to update the programmes of Qatar Television are going on while the new programmes are expected to start from April of this year,” said Mubarak bin Jaham Al Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar Foundation for Media. Qatar is currently home to one state-run satellite channel, as well as private regional broadcaster Al-Jazeera.  

Kuwaiti telecoms firm Wataniya Telecom is planning to launch its own satellite channel, due to run during the holy month of Ramadan, starting on July 15. The planned channel is not aimed at commercial gains, Wataniya said, adding the channel will broadcast a religious programme, a competition show and several drama series eight hours a day without advertisements through Egypt's Nilesat.