Egypt Independent – The Saudi Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed bin Farhan signed an agreement on Wednesday with MBC GROUP Chairman Waleed bin Ibrahim Al Ibrahim to launch and operate a television channel celebrating Saudi cultural heritage.

The channel will help enhance the pioneering status of Saudi Arabia as the hub of culture in the region, and realize the targets of the Saudi Vision 2030.

The channel is expected to start streaming in September and will be broadcasted on the MBC satellite package and on Shahid.net.

It targets both the intellectual elite and the wider public, broadcasting interactive programs on the kingdom’s rich cultural heritage 24/7.

The channel also seeks to increase Saudi content and its presence in the global innovation system with unique programs showcasing literature, poetry, theater, cinema, fashion, and culinary arts, targeting both local and international audiences.

In addition to the channel, the agreement also stipulates the launch of a digital media platform specialized in producing video content for online platforms, as well as publishing articles, podcasts, and documentaries to expand the scope of work of local content creators and connect them with a network of experts in the field.

The establishment of the channel coincides with the kingdom witnessing a Saudi Vision 2030-driven cultural renaissance, to meet the ambitions of a new generation eager to keep pace with accelerated technological revolutions.