QNA
Doha
Qatar Television (Qatar TV) is celebrating the 54th anniversary of the launch of its official broadcast which falls on Aug. 15, 1970, around two years after the launch of Qatar Radio broadcasting in 1968.
Since that day, Qatar TV has become a permanent guest in every home, ministries and government institutions across the country through its news bulletins and other diversified programs along with Arab and foreign series and films that made Qatar TV a leading and distinguished channel on the region’s screens.
This date represents a proud memory for Qatari and Arab viewers. They were on time with a new Arabic TV that would join the list of Arabic and international channels to convey an integrated and honest image of Qatar to its viewers, in addition to conveying the aspirations and ambitions of its citizens, their past, present, culture, and heritage of their ancestors.
Qatar TV, like other national media, has received the full sponsorship of HH the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and all officials in charge of the Qatar Media Corporation, to carry out its mission efficiently, and to continue its path and develop its programs and services provided to viewers. Also, Qatar Media Corporation is keen on keeping the channel true to its message, to its viewers, and to excellence.
The channel continues the development and modernization of its technologies, content, and approach to the Arab viewer, in service of national and Arab goals, as well as human aspirations.
In an exclusive interview with Qatar News Agency (QNA) on this occasion, Director of Qatar TV Ali bin Saleh Al Sada noted the importance of celebrating the anniversary of Qatar TV as it has a special impact not only on those working in the television and media sector but also on all the Qatari people and residents of Qatar, stressing the importance of this annual occasion to one of the most important televisions in the region, as recognized by many. He added that it is a special memory for them, the employees in Qatar TV, which was and still is their second home as it is their place of work and also the venue where they communicate with all viewers in Qatar and beyond.
Asked about the most prominent updates and developments that have been introduced to Qatar TV recently as well as the objectives of these updates, the Director of Qatar TV said in his statement to QNA that Qatar TV is working on all that can update its work, whether human or technical.
Modern devices, equipment and technologies are developing continuously and rapidly, he said, adding that viewers have noticed many updates during the past period both in terms of image or content, and they are currently working on developing their work by establishing new studios equipped with the latest and most accurate filming tools and compatible with modern and developed forms and consistent with the objectives of Qatar TV.
In addition, the process of developing and updating the various broadcasting and transmission devices is underway at full speed, he said, hoping that the fruits of this will begin to appear soon and be noticed by the viewer.
Regarding new plans and programmes to develop television work in the next phase, the Director of Qatar TV said there is a lot that the audience will see soon in the field of program development, through a new program cycle, in which there are many qualitative programs that will be broadcasted for the first time, including live programs, recorded programs, documentaries, and new dramatic productions, stressing that the programs of the new cycle will meet the interests and aspirations of viewers, while noting that there are many changes that have occurred in the daily live programs.
On Qatar TV’s Arab and Gulf viewership, Ali Saleh Al Sada told QNA that it goes back to many years now thanks to Qatar TV’s valuable programs and shows whose appeal outreaches Qatar, its joint coverage with other Gulf TV stations, and the desire to follow various major events that took place in Qatar in recent years, such as the AFC Asian Cup, of which Qatar TV provided diverse and extensive coverage, thus, broadening the channel’s viewership beyond Qatar. Furthermore, Al Sada expressed his belief that this viewership will increase even more in the coming years, given the state’s support for the tourism sector.
As for Qatari talents and professionals within the channel, Al Sada said that Qatar TV is proud to have been, and continues to be, one of the leading state institutions to open its doors to Qatari skills, adding that as the channel is marking its 54th anniversary, it cannot but celebrate the first generation of Qatar TV personnel who helped establish and make the channel what it is today, with Qatar TV forever proud of its members.
The Qatar TV Director said that the channel has distinguished national staff, with young and brilliant Qatari minds running many of its programs, calling on national talents who wish to engage in media work to join the ranks.
Regarding incentives to attract the youth to work in television, he said that media work is a passion before being anything else, it is not just a job, rather much more, however, to answer the question, he said that Qatar TV offers many good incentives and initiatives, adding that new staff receive training and are given the opportunity to try out working in various departments until they find their fit.
Al Sada added that the channel also provides Qatari youth with the chance to be close to viewers through its programs, stemming from the belief in the youth’s crucial role in developing the national media scene.
As for Qatar TV’s future plans and long-term ambitions, Al Sada concluded his statement to QNA by saying that there is an abundance of amazing plans and ideas, with work underway day and night to materialize them as soon as possible.
The Qatar TV Director added that the main focus is on updating and aligning the channel with the Qatar National Vision 2030 by introducing diverse programmes that resonates with viewers’ daily lives.
Moreover, he said that the channel aims to increase the air time dedicated for live programs and intensify drama production, in addition to attracting more Qatari youth and expand presence on digital platforms.
Furthermore, Al Sada pointed out that Qatar Television aims to embody the statement of HH the Amir that Qatar deserves the best from its people, the principle by which Qatar TV goes.
During its journey, Qatar TV has contributed to preserving the Arab and Islamic identity and the social and cultural values of the Qatari people through its various programs and activities.
It played a significant role for media and journalism students who wish to enter the field of visual broadcasting, and provided them with the necessary expertise and training that increased their professional competencies. It was also an active media arena and platform to encourage national cadres and produce dramatic and artistic works and various programs.
Qatar TV began broadcasting in 1970 in black and white, and it began broadcasting in color in 1974. In 1982, Channel 37 began broadcasting in English. At that time, Qatar TV broadcasted American and Indian series and films, as well as documentaries and comedy programs through its English channel.
Qatar TV has gone through many development stages. The first development came in 2001, when the channel changed in terms of the logo, program style, breaks and advertisements, in order to keep pace with the satellite broadcasting to which it had moved.
The second development of Qatar TV came in mid-2011, when a new and comprehensive development plan was announced under the supervision of the committee for supporting and developing television work. A new building was constructed and designated adjacent to the programming studio that was built at that time, and it was equipped with the latest global broadcasting devices.
Qatar TV is considered one of the first Arab channels to include these modern devices and equipment in full. Another studio was also built inside the new building, and it was dedicated to broadcasting news bulletins.
Qatar TV continues its creative journey, keeping pace with technical development in order to occupy its prestigious place among Arab channels and provide the best and most modern content to Arab viewers everywhere.