Alhurra, a new Arabic-language satellite television network, began broadcasting to millions of viewers in 22 countries across the Middle East last weekend.

Alhurra, an Arabic word for “the free one,” primarily will be devoted to news and information. The channel will broadcast discussion programs, current affairs magazines and features on a variety of subjects including health and personal fitness, entertainment, sports, fashion, and science and technology.

Dedicated to presenting accurate, balanced and comprehensive news, the channel is operated by The Middle East Television Network, a non-profit corporation funded by the U.S. Congress through the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG). The BBG is a federal agency that supervises all U.S. non-military international broadcasting. The channel is broadcast from studios in Springfield, Va., and bureaus throughout the Middle East.

For further coverage of this story, see the Feb. 23 issue of Satellite News. For more information about subscribing to PBI Media’s satellite newsletters, check out our Web site at www.satellitetoday.com